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PEIHCETOIT 
ntC.  juK  1883 

theological/ 


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BX  9225  .D45  E14  1882 
Eaton,  S.  J.  M.  1820-1889. 
Memorial  of  the  life  and 
labors  of  the  Rev.  Cyrus 


^^^^^^^   /(^i(>/\^iS-1hJ 


MEMORIAL 


OF  THE 


LIFE   AND    LABORS 


OF  THE 


Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D, 

LATE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS. 


BY  S.  J.  m/eATON,  D.  D. 


GOD  IS  THE  AUTHOR,  MEN  ARE  ONLY  THE  PLATERS.  THESE  GRAND 
PIECES  WHICH  AKE  PLAYED  UPON  EARTH  HAVE  BEEN  COMPOSED  IN 
HEAVEN. 

BALZAC. 


John  v,  35, 


NEW  YORK: 

ROBERT  CARTER  AND  BROTHERS, 
530  BROADWAY. 

1882. 


PREFACE. 


The  idea  of  this  Memorial  originated  with  the  Presb}"- 
teiy  of  Baltimore,  of  which  Dr.  Dickson  was  a  member 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  At  its  meeting,  just  after  ]\\. 
departure,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  such  a 
work.  This  committee  talked  the  matter  over,  but  did 
not  give  it  definite  shape.  They  finally  proposed  com- 
mitting it  to  the  present  writer,  and  made  this  recommen- 
dation to  the  Presbytery  at  its  Spring  meeting.  The 
work  was  then  entered  upon  with  what  material  was  on 
hand.  It  has  been  a  labor  of  love.  A  life-long  ac- 
quaintance, a  hereditary  friendship  on  both  sides,  and 
ardent  admiration  for  the  man  and  his  great  work  in  be- 
half of  the  Church  and  the  countr}-,  have  been  elements 
entering  into  its  preparation.  The  simple  facts  in  his 
life  histor}^  have  been  brought  to  view,  his  grand  pastoral 
work,  and  the  part  he  took  in  the  work  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions  have  been  briefl}'  stated.  All  flattery 
and  empty  compliment  have  been  avoided.  The  simple, 
earnest  desire  has  been  to  w^eave,  with  the  help  of  others, 
a  modest  chaplet  to  lay  upon  his  tomb,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  commend  to  the  Church  the  remembrance  of  one 
of  the  grandest  of  her  sons  who  laid  down  his  life  in  her 
service. 

Thanks  are  tendered  for  the  valuable  addresses  deliv- 
ered at  the  funeral,  and  to  the  friends  who  contributed 
valuable  material  to  the  work,  as  well  as  furnished  per- 
sonal letters,  adding  greatly  to  its  interest. 

S.  J.  M.  E. 

Franklin,  Pa.,  August^  1882. 


CONTENTS. 


I.  BIOGRAPHY. 

I.    THE  EARLY  DAWN.  I 

II.    THE  STUDENT.  33 

III.    THE  COMMISSION.  63 

IV.    PASTORAL  LIFE  AT  FRANKLIN.  73 

V.    PASTORAL  LIFE  AT  WHEELING.  IO5 

VL    PASTORAL  LIFE  AT  BALTIMORE.  1 29 

VII.    THE  SECRETARY.  157 

VIII.    THE     MAN  THE     CHRISTIAN  THE 

PREACHER.  195 

IX.    THE  HOME  LIFE.  223 

X.    THE  EVENING  AND  THE  MORNING.  25  I 

II.  FUNERAL  SERVICES  AT  BALTI- 

MORE. 275 

III.  MEMORIAL     SERVICES     AT 

FRANKLIN.  315 

IV.  WORDS  OF  SYMPATHY.  347 
V.  PRESS  NOTICES.  373 

VI.  TRIBUTES  OF  RESPECT.  393 


I.     BIOGRAPHY. 


^^  There  is  no  life  of  a  man,  faithfully  recorded,  but 
is  a  heroic  poem  of  its  sort,  rhymed  or  nnrhymed.'' 

Carlyle. 

*^Brevis  a  natura  nobis  vita  data  est ;  at  memoria 
bene  reditce  vitce  sempiternal 

Cicero. 

"The  steps  of  a  good  ma7t  are  oi'dered  by  the  Lord ; 
and  Jie  delighteth  in  his  way.'' 

Psalm  xxxvii  :  23. 


THE  EARLY  DAWN. 


*'0  child  !     O  new  born  denizen 

Of  life's  great  city  !  on  thy  head 

The  glory  of  the  morn  is  shed 

Like  a  celestial  benizen  I 

Here  at  the  portal  thou  dost  stand. 

And  with  thy  little  hand 

Thoii  openest  the  mystef  tons  gate 

Into  the  future  s  undiscovered  land!^ 

Longfellow. 

^'And  the  child  grew  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit^ 

Luke  l  8o. 


I.     BIOGRAPHY. 


I.     THE  EARLY  DAWN. 


The  influence  of  every  human  soul  is  well  nigh 
boundless.  It  reaches,  like  the  poles  of  the  earth, 
away  out  into  the  boundless  unknown.  It  spreads 
itself  over  an  extent  vaster  than  the  mighty  fields 
where  the  stars  have  their  home.  And  there  is 
the  good  and  the  evil.  There  is  the  sweet,  health- 
laden  air  that  comes  down  from  the  snow  clad  hills 
and  sweeps  over  the  valleys  ;  that  gathers  fragrance 
from  the  meadows  and  balmy  odors  from  the  pine 
forests,  and  that  kisses  the  summits  of  ocean's 
crested  waves,  bearing  strength  and  healing  and 
life  in  its  bosom.  And  there  is  the  miasma  that 
creeps  stealthily  up  from  swamps  and  stagnant 
pools,  and  all  places  of  decay  and  contagion,  that 
bears  disease  and  pain  and  death  in  its  breath. 

So  there  is  the  good  life  that  makes  its  influence 
felt  in  all  the  ways  of  men,  conciliating,  sweetening, 
beautifying  everything  with  which  it  comes  in  con- 
tact, and  making  the  world  better  and  happier  as 
it  brings  it  nearer  to  God.  And  there  is  the  evil 
life  that  is  depressing  and  contaminating  and  de- 
structive in  all  its  influences,  that   mars  and  cor- 


Memo7'ial. 


rodes  society,  and  that  assists  in  bearing  souls  down 
to  the  realms  of  darkness. 

And  there  are,  comparatively,  the  great  and  the 
small,  and  each  has  its  importance.  There  are  the 
Alps,  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  lofty  Lebanon. 
But  there  are  also  Tabor,  and  Gilboa,  and  Olivet 
and  Sinai.  Each  has  its  influence  and  its  impor- 
tance. Whilst  from  the  great  may  come  the  breath 
of  snows  and  the  balmy  odors  of  lofty  cedars  ;  from 
the  apparently  less  may  come  the  deep,  earnest 
voice  of  God,  as  Sinai  trembles  and  totters  and  bows 
beneath  His  tread  ;  or  the  sweet,  holy  light  of  the 
Transfiguration  calling  to  a  waiting  world  :  ''This 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased : 
hear  ye  Him  :"  or  from  Olivet,  beneath  the  open 
heavens  :  "Lo  I  am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world,"  as  the  Lord  of  glory  ascends  to 
His  throne. 

There  is  the  same  distinction  in  human  influence. 
All  are  not  called  to  stand  upon  the  high  places  of 
Zion ;  all  are  not  commissioned  to  be  leaders  of 
men,  nor  standard  bearers  of  the  armies  of  God. 
Yet  all  have  their  influence,  and  the  word  comes  to 
all  :  follow  me  and  be  my  disciple.  And  the  quiet 
Christian  whose  name  is  seldom  seen,  and  whose 
voice  is  rarely  heard,  may  be  serving  Christ  and 
helping  the  souls  of  His  people  up  the  rugged 
steeps  of  a  religious  life  as  effectively  as  many 
who  are  more  prominent  in  the  Church. 

Still  when  the  leaders  of  the  Lord's  Zion  fall  in 
the  foremost  line  of  the  battle  the  Church  is  ready 


The  Early  Dawn.  j 


to  cry  out  at  its  loss.  It  is  ready  to  fear  that  its 
interests  will  suffer  damage,  and  that  its  work  will 
stop.  And  while  it  is  fitting  that  too  much  depend- 
ence should  not  be  placed  on  the  arm  of  flesh,  it  is 
also  fitting  that,  when  its  standard-bearers  fall,  the 
Church  should  remember  their  virtues,  honor  their 
memory,  and  weave  garlands  of  amaranth  for  their 
tombs.  The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  re- 
membrance. It  is  fitting,  too,  that  our  zeal  should 
be  stimulated  and  our  activity  promoted  by  looking 
upon  what  has  been  accomplished  by  those  who 
have  gone  before  and  have  received  their  crown. 
The  eleventh  chapter  of  the  epistle  to  the  Hebrews 
is  but  the  roll-call  of  the  mighty  dead  of  all  the 
past,  commemorating  their  virtues,  recording  their 
illustrious  works,  and  singing  their  praises.  And 
after  pointing  to  this  long  muster-roll  of  worthies 
who  had  done  valiantly  for  the  truth,  the  sacred 
writer  cries  out  to  those  who  were  still  in  the  val- 
ley of  conflict  like  himself  :"  ''Wherefore,  seeing 
we  also  are  compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud 
of  witnesses,  let  us  lay  aside  every  weight,  and  the 
sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset  us,  and  let  us  run 
with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us,  looking 
unto  Jesus." 

So  it  is  fitting  that  when  one  so  useful,  so  labori- 
ous, so  conscientious,  and  so  thoroughly  devoted  to 
the  Lord's  work,  as  was  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
passes  away  in  the  very  midst  of  his  usefulness,  some 
memorial,  however  inadequate,  should  be  erected  to 
tell  how  he  lived,  how  he  labored,  and  how  he  died 


Memorial. 


for  the  promotion  of  the  Lord's  work,  and  the 
building  up  of  His  kingdom.  Such  men  are  few  in 
these  days  of  rushing  business,  and  devotion  to 
mammon,  and  selfish  seeking  of  personal  aggrand- 
izement, and  the  world  needs  to  hear  and  to  heed 
the  lesson  their  lives  and  their  labors  are  designed 
to  teach. 

Longfellow,  whose  harp,  save  in  its  dim  echoes, 
has  so  recently  become  silent,  says  :  "  Great  men 
are  like  solitary  towers  in  the  city  of  God."  Their 
influence  therefore  should  be  felt  in  the  generations 
to  come,  and  their  light  should  shine  out  so  as  to 
help  to  dissipate  the  world  darkness  that  is  around. 

It  was  one  of  the  pleasant  thoughts  that  often 
filled  the  heart  and  shed  sunshine  on  the  daily  path 
of  Cyrus  Dickson  that  he  was  :  "The  son  of  parents 
passed  into  the  skies."  All  the  records,  traditions 
and  memories  of  the  households  of  both  his  parents 
led  back  through  an  ancestry  of  pious,  God-fearing 
people.  They  were  loyal  to  country  and  loyal  to 
God.  They  trained  up  their  children  to  walk  in 
their  footsteps.  They  taught  them  by  precept  and 
by  example,  and  the  promise  was  fulfilled  :  "Thy 
seed  will  I  establish  forever,  and  build  up  thy 
throne  unto  all  generations."  God  is  always  faith- 
ful to  his  covenant.  His  people  shall  prosper  and 
the  blessing  of  the  Lord  shall  descend  upon  them 
unto  all  generations.  And  just  as  Bethlehem  and 
Nazareth,  where  the  Lord  was  born  and  brought 
up,  seem  to  be  surrounded  by  a  brighter  foliage,  and 
enriched   by   a  sweeter  landscape,   and   to  have  a 


The  Early  Dawn.  5 

more  comely  population  than  the  other  cities  of 
Palestine,  as  though  the  blessing  of  the  footprints 
of  the  Lord  lingered  there  still ;  so  the  fam- 
ilies that  entered  into  covenant  with  God  in  the 
old  days  of  trial  and  persecution,  and  served  Him 
in  spite  of  the  danger  and  the  death,  found  not  only 
one  like  to  the  Son  of  God  walking  with  them  in 
the  fiery  furnace,  but  left  a  blessing  and  a  joy  to 
the  generations  that  came  after  them. 

Of  the  Dickson  family  we  have  this  historical 
knowledge:  in  1740  a  colony  of  Presbyterians  set- 
tled on  the  Mohawk  river,  in  the  state  of  New 
York.  Amongst  these  was  William  Dickson,  great 
grandfather  of  Cyrus.  He  had  come  from  New 
England  and  was  of  Scotch  descent.  The  colony 
increased  and  was  made  up  chiefly  of  Presbyterians 
from  Londonderry.  In  1765  it  numbered  forty 
families,  and,  until  after  the  revolution,  the  church 
and  the  colony  were  identical.  This  was  the  origin 
of  the  old  town  of  Cherry  Valley. 

William  Dickson  had  married  Elizabeth  Camp- 
bell, and  with  his  family  lived  in  peace  until  the 
days  of  the  revolution.  In  November  1778  occur- 
red the  terrible  massacre  of  Cherry  Valley,  when  a 
band  of  two  hundred  Tories  and  five  hundred  In- 
dians burst  upon  the  settlers,  burning  the  town, 
and  murdering  and  taking  captive  the  people. 

The  Dickson  family  at  first  escaped.  The  father 
and  older  sons  were  absent,  and  the  mother  and 
younger  children  had  hidden  away  in  the  thick 
woods  that  clothed  the  hillside  at  the  back  of  the 


Memorial. 


house.  But  during  the  daytime,  Mrs.  Dickson, 
moved  by  the  hunger  of  the  children,  went  back  to 
the  house  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  food  for 
them.  She  never  returned.  She  was  known  all 
through  that  valley  by  a  splendid  head  of  long,  red 
hair,  and  the  first  knowledge  the  children  had  of 
her  fate  was  seeing,  from  their  hiding  place,  an  In- 
dian passing  with  a  scalp  from  which  waved  those 
long  auburn  locks. 

James  Dickson,  the  son  of  this  William  Dickson, 
was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  was 
somewhat  famous  in  his  time.  This  romantic  story 
is  preserved  concerning  him  in  the  unwritten  ar- 
chives of  the  family  :  He  was  the  grandfather  of 
Cyrus,  and  still  had  his  residence  in  Cherry  Valley. 
On  a  certain  occasion  he  was  detailed  for  special 
service,  and  happened  to  be  one  of  the  guard  that 
conducted  General  Burgoyne  to  Boston  after  his 
surrender.  The  young  captain  was  then  twenty- 
two  years  of  age. 

Some  delay  took  place  on  the  journey,  and  the 
party  was  detained  at  the  farm  house  of  Daniel 
Morris,  near  Great  Barrington,  Ma-sssacusetts.  The 
youngest  of  the  twelve  children  of  this  household 
was  Mary,  a  comely  maiden  of  fifteen.  The  young 
soldier  was  so  impressed  with  the  charms  of  the 
girl  that  he  asked  permission  to  seek  a  more  inti- 
mate acquaintance  after  the  exigencies  of  the  war 
should  be  over. 

They  did  not  wait  until  the  war  was  over,  but 
were  married  in  1780.    The  outfit  was  purchased  in 


The  Early  Dawn.  7 

Boston,  and  amongst  other  things  was  a  good  sup- 
ply of  silver  plate. 

When  the  war  was  over,  James  Dickson  became 
a  merchant  in  Cherry  Valley,  and  was  prosperous 
until  the  very  great  depreciation  of  the  Continental 
currency  brought  financial  ruin.  Then  he  resolved 
to  seek  a  home  in  the  new  west.  But  his  means 
were  limited,  and  the  devoted  wife  sold  the  silver 
that  had  been  her  dowry,  to  obtain  the  means  of 
making  the  journey  and  of  establishing  them  in  the 
new  country,  and,  in  1789,  the  father  and  mother 
with  their  five  small  children  left  their  pleasant 
home  to  seek  a  new  abiding  place  in  the  wilderness. 

Mary  Morris,  the  grandmother  of  Cyrus  Dickson, 

was  descended  from  Daniel  Morris,  one  of  the  first 

settlers  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut.     Her  father, 

also  Daniel  Morris,  left  New  Haven  in  1762  or  3^ 

for  Great  Barrington.    This  Daniel  was  a  devotedly 

pious  man.     His  favorite  Psalm,  that  he  sung  every 

evening,  was  Watts'  version  of  the  fourth  Psalm  : 

"Lord  thou  wilt  hear  me  when  I  pray, 
I  am  forever  thiue." 

Mary  Morris  Dickson  was  a  woman  of  exemplary 
piety,  and  was  respected  amongst  her  neighbors  as 
a  woman  of  faith  and  prayer.  Whilst  the  family 
lived  in  the  neighborhood  of  North  East  there  was 
a  supply  sent  out  from  Pittsburgh  to  preach  in  the 
settlement.  This  supply,  who  was  a  young  man, 
lodged  with  the  Dickson  family.  On  Sabbath  morn- 
ing they  proceeded  to  the  place  of  worship,  when 
the  young  minister  discovered  that  he  had  forgotten 


8  Memorial. 


to  bring  his  manuscript,  and  felt  himself  unable  to 
preach  without  it.  He  told  his  trouble  to  William 
Dickson,  who  advised  him  to  throw  himself  on  the 
help  of  Divine  Providence,  and  added  that  he  would 
go  and  ask  his  mother  to  pray  for  him,  and  doubted 
not  that  he  would  get  along  well.  The  result  was 
that  the  congregation  were  delighted  with  the  won- 
derful sermon  that  was  delivered,  and  the  young 
minister  was  greatly  impressed  with  this  new  evi- 
dence of  the  power  of  the  prayer  of  faith. 

William  Dickson,  the  son  of  Captain  James  and 
Mary  Morris  was  born  in  Philipsburgh,  Columbia 
county  New  York,  March  twenty-seventh,  1783. 
In  1789  his  father  moved  westward,  passing  down 
through  Pennsylvania,  and  bearing  his  household 
with  him  to  new  scenes.  They  first  settled  in 
Westmoreland  county  for  ten  years,  and  in  1801 
went  out  to  Erie  county  and  settled  on  the  heads 
of  the  French  creek. 

Here  William  Dickson  commenced  life  for  him- 
self in  the  southern  portion  of  Erie  county.  Pa. 
Here  commenced  his  conflict  with  the  forest  that 
abounded  in  that  region,  and  with  other  early 
settlers  initiated  the  movement  that  has  made  this 
country  great.  From  the  first,  he  was  one  of  the 
active  friends  of  Gospel  institutions.  There  was 
not  at  that  time  a  church,  nor  an  organized  congre- 
gation within  an  hundred  miles.  The  Presbyteries 
of  Redstone  and  Ohio  were  just  beginning  to  send 
Missionaries,  as  occasional  supplies,  out  to  the  lake 
shore,  but  their  visits  were  few,  and  very  irregular. 


The  Early  Dawn, 


A  man  reared  as  William  Dickson  had  been 
knew  the  value  of  the  institutions  of  the  Gospel  as 
well  with  regard  to  his  own  personal  welfare  as  for 
the  common  good  of  the  country.  With  this  feeling 
and  conviction  he  joined  with  the  few  neighbors, 
after  the  preaching  of  one  of  these  missionaries,  in 
the  erection  of  a  church  edifice.  This  missionary 
was  the  Rev.  James  Satterfield.  He  preached  under 
a  spreading  beech  tree.  Every  family  in  the  town- 
ship had  been  notified  of  his  coming,  and  every 
family  was  represented.  The  missionary  had  lost 
his  way  on  Saturday,  and  had  slept  in  the  woods 
over  night ;  but  finding  a  cabin  in  the  morning  and 
breakfasting  on  corn  bread  and  potatoes,  he  was 
strong  for  the  work.  At  the  close  of  the  service  the 
young  men  were  called  together  by  Mr.  Hunter  and 
invited  to  come  together  the  next  Thursday  morn- 
ing with  their  axes  and  dinners  for  the  purpose  of 
building  a  meeting  house.  By  sunrise  on  the  ap- 
pointed day  the  men  were  on  the  ground,  right  in 
the  midst  of  the  great  forest,  and  by  sundown  had 
completed  a  church  edifice,  in  those  days  called  a 
meeting  house.  There  were  neither  sawed  lumber, 
nor  nails  nor  scrap  of  iron  in  the  work,  yet  it  was 
complete  in  all  its  appointments,  with  pulpit  and 
seats  and  floor  and  doors.  This  was  the  first  church 
building  erected  in  Erie  county,  and  Mr.  Dickson 
regarded  his  part  in  the  work  as  the  very  best  work 
of  his  life.  This  house  stood  as  a  monument  of 
early  Christian  enterprise  for  more  than  three 
quarters  of  a  century. 


10  Memorial. 


Soon  after  this  William  Dickson  made  a  profes- 
sion of  religion,  and  devoted  the  remainder  of  his 
life  to  the  service  of  Christ.  At  the  earnest  advice 
of  several  of  the  ministers,  he  removed  to  Scrub- 
grass  and  commenced  a  course  preparatory  to  the 
Gospel  ministry.  But  he  had  a  little  family  depend- 
ent on  him,  and  after  a  year  of  hard  application  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  under  his  circumstances  he 
could  accomplish  more  ior  the  general  good  in  a  dif- 
ferent sphere.  He  then  returned  to  his  farm,  and  in 
1818  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  North  East  township 
about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Lake  Erie.  Here  the 
neighbors  helped  him  to  build  a  log  cabin  that  was 
without  board  or  nail  or  bit  of  iron  in  its  construction, 
with  fire-place  reaching  from  wall  to  wall.  It  was 
a  primitive  dwelling,  but  just  as  good  as  any  of  his 
neighbors  possessed,  and  was  considered  for  that  day 
a  luxurious  abode.  Here  the  five  younger  children 
were  born  and  here  commenced  the  work  of  clearing 
the  forest,  opening  up  and  developing  the  country, 
and  preparing  it  for  the  high  position  it  now  occu- 
pies. This  log  house  was  the  family  dwelling  until 
1824,  when  a  new  brick  house  was  erected  and  the 
new  quarters  were  entered  with  a  feeling  of  comfort 
and  independence. 

In  this  neighborhood  William  Dickson  spent  the 
best  portion  of  his  life ;  clearing  the  land,  farming, 
engineering,  building  canal,^  until  about  the  year 
1837,  when  he  removed  to  the  banks  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, in  Milan,  Illinois,  where  he  died  November 
twenty-fifth,  1869,  in  the  eighty-seventh  year  of  his 


The  Early  Dawn.  1 1 

age.  He  was  an  eld^r  in  the  church  for  the  larger 
portion  of  his  life. 

William  Dickson  was  a  man  of  strong  fiber,  of  very 
decided  convictions,  a  born  leader  of  men,  thought- 
ful, earnest,  fearless,  and  persistent  in  carrying  out  to 
their  full  accomplishment  the  plans  and  purposes  of 
his  life.  Yet,  with  all  this,  he  was  ever  ready  to  be 
guided  by  the  indications  of  Providence.  Whilst  he 
was  ready  to  propose  to  himself,  he  had  the  natural 
instinct  of  his  race  to  let  God  dispose,  and  to  ac- 
knowledge His  truth  and  righteousness.  He  had  a 
fine,  commanding  form,  a  blue  eye  full  of  fire,  and 
great  readiness  of  speech  that  fitted  him  fop-  the 
public  duties  to  which  he  was  frequently  called. 

His  early  struggles  as  a  young  man,  and  the  tra- 
ditions of  his  family  to  which  he  attached  much  im- 
portance, and  the  broadening  influence  of  the 
country  where  he  had  his  early  home  had  given  a 
firmness  and  a  stability  to  his  nature  that  made  him 
a  power  and  a  force  amongst  his  fellow  men,  and 
his  influence  was  strongly  felt  amongst  them.     And 

his  influence  was  always  exerted  in  the  right  direc- 
tion. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  who  ^^s  Miss 
Barron,  and  who  left  three  sons,  he  married  Chris- 
tiana Moorhead,  third  daughter  of  James  and  Cath- 
arine Byers  Moorhead,  who  had  emigrated  from 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  amongst  the  first 
settlers  of  the  county.  Christiana  Moorhead  Dick- 
son was  the  mother  of  Cyrus  Dickson,  the  incidents 
of  whose  busy  and  useful  life  are  now  to  be  chroni- 


12  Memorial. 


cled.  And  here  was  the  genuine  seed  of  the  mar- 
tyrs, the  fine  gold  of  the  stock  of  God's  people. 
The  Moorheads  trace  their  lineage  back  to  the 
grand,  heroic  days  of  Scotland,  when,  as  the  Muir- 
heads,  they  wore  bonnets  of  blue,  and  wrapped 
their  plaids  about  them  and  laid  them  down  in  the 
quiet  caves  of  the  rocks,  ready  to  suffer  the  loss  of 
all  things  for  Christ  and  His  cross.  They  belonged 
to  the  people  who  were  persecuted  to  the  death  un- 
der the  dynasty  of  the  Stuarts,  and  who  counted  it 
all  joy  to  seek  the  dens  and  caves  of  the  earth  for 
shelter,  for  worship,  for  freedom  of  conscience. 
They  bore  the  same  blood  that  coursed  through  the 
veins  of  the  Covenanters,  whom  Charles  Stuart  con- 
sidered the  offscouring  of  the  earth,  but  whom  God 
counted  His  priests  and  His  kings. 

These  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  have  been  and 
are  a  wonderful  people.  When  their  history  is 
traced ;  when  their  early  sufferings  are  recounted  ; 
when  their  loyalty  to  God  and  Christ  and  His  Church 
are  remembered  ;  and  when  their  achievements  in 
enterprise  and  daring  and  suffering  are  brought  to 
light  in  exploring  new  countries,  in  building  up  new 
governments,  in  enacting  wholesome  laws,  in  pro- 
moting education,  in  advancing  improvements,  in 
honoring  the  Bible,  the  Church  and  the  Sabbath, 
and  in  exalting  and  glorifying  God,  they  must  be 
considerd  the  very  seed  royal  of  the  Church  of  the 
Living  God ! 

Christiana  Moorhead  Dickson,  the  mother  of  Cy- 
rus, was  small  of  stature,  of   lithe,  graceful  form 


The  Early  Dawn,  ij 

and  carriage,  florid  complexion,  soft  blue  eyes,  with 
that  sweet  voice  that  wins  the  ear  and  is  such 
sweet  music  to  the  soul.     Like  Cordelia  : 

**  Her  voice  was  ever  soft, 
Gentle,  and  low ;  a  most  excellent  thing:  in  woman.  " 

There  was  nothing  commanding  in  her  presence, 
nor  imperative  in  her  manner,  yet,  like  the  excellent 
woman  in  Proverbs,  she  ruled  well  her  own  house- 
hold. Indeed  the  entire  portrait  of  the  virtuous 
woman,  as  drawn  by  the  wise  man  in  the  last 
chapter  of  Proverbs,  from  the  tenth  verse  to  the 
close,  is  as  true  of  her  as  though  she  had  been  be- 
fore the  mind  of  the  writer  while  he  sketched  the 
beautiful  picture. 

In  the  frequent  absences  of  her  husband,  whilst 
engaged  in  public  business,  she  managed  the  farm 
as  well  as  the  house.  She  was  a  woman  of  prin- 
ciple and  of  conscience,  and  in  some  things  much  in 
advance  of  her  neighbors.  This  was  particularly 
the  case  in  the  matter  of  temperance.  A  barn  was 
to  be  raised.  The  neighbors  were  invited.  The 
dinner  was  prepared,  and  the  men  were  on  the 
ground.  After  the  work  had  commenced  the  in- 
quiry was  made  for  the  whiskey  which  was  an  inva- 
riable accompaniment  at  such  times.  One  of  her 
three  brothers  present  was  sent  to  the  house  to  get 
it.  Mrs.  Dickson  told  him  that  she  could  not  pro- 
vide whiskey  to  make  her  neighbors  drunk.  An- 
other and  a  third  brother  was  sent,  and  finally  an 
elder  in  the  church,  to  expostulate  with  her  and  per- 
suade her  to  send  for  the  desired  beverage. 


The  little  woman  made  no  reply  to  the  elder,  but 
took  her  bonnet  from  its  nail  and  walked  out  where 
the  men  were  sitting  awaiting  the  elder's  coming, 
and,  stepping  upon  one  of  the  timbers,  bared  her 
head  and  thus  addressed  them  : 

''  My  neighbors,  this  is  a  strange  scene.  Three  of 
you  are  my  own  brothers  ;  three  of  you  are  elders 
in  the  church,  and  all  of  you  my  friends.  I  have 
prepared  for  you  the  best  dinner  in  my  power,  but 
you  refuse  to  work  unless  I  shall  provide  whiskey  for 
you.  This  I  can  never  do.  If  you  refuse  to  raise 
the  building,  so  be  it ;  but  before  I  shall  furnish 
whiskey  to  make  my  neighbors  drunk,  these  timbers 
shall  rot  where  they  lie.  " 

The  heroic  woman  retired  to  the  house  and  the 
men  dispersed  to  their  homes  ;  but  the  former  re- 
tired to  her  own  room  and  for  two  hours  cried  and 
prayed  as  though  her  heart  would  break.  The  next 
morning  the  men  came  back  and  put  up  the  build- 
ing, and  not  a  word  was  said  about  whiskey.  But 
they  had  a  bountiful  dinner  and  just  such  coffee  as 
a  Presbyterian  woman  could  make  and  all  was  sat- 
isfactory. This  was  the  first  building  that  had  been 
put  up  in  the  neighborhood  without  whiskey,  but 
not  the  last.  The  example  was  soon  followed  by 
others,  and  the  influence  was  most  salutary. 

Still  the  matter  of  temperance  had  not,  as  yet,  as- 
sumed the  importance  attached  to  it  in  modern  times. 
It  was  a  common  thing  to  find  whiskey  on  sale  in 
nearly  all  the  stores  in  the  country.  Mr.  Dickson 
kept  it  in  his  store.     His  wife  remonstrated.      She 


The  Early  Dawn.  75 

begged  him  to  quit  the  traffic.  So  earnest  and  per- 
sistent were  her  entreaties  that  he  finally  promised 
that  when  the  present  stock  was  exhausted  he 
would  purchase  no  more.  But  the  boys  were  grow- 
ing up,  and  she  feared  for  the  influence  the  sight 
and  sale  of  the  article  might  have  upon  them.  One 
evening,  at  family  prayers,  Mrs.  Dickson  remained 
on  her  knees  after  the  rest  of  the  family  had  arisen. 
Thinking  something  was  wrong  her  husband  spoke 
to  her.  She  replied  :  "  I  am  praying  for  you  that 
God  would  give  you  a  better  mind,  and  I  feel  as 
though  I  would  never  rise  from  my  knees  until  you 
give  me  the  promise  that  you  will  throw  your 
whiskey  into  the  street,  and  never  have  anything 
more  to  do  with  it. " 

The  promise  was  made,  the  whiskey  was  thrown 
into  the  gutter  and  never  brought  into  the  house 
or  the  store  again. 

She  was  the  very  light  and  centre  and  joy  of  the 
home.  Not  only  did  the  heart  of  her  husband  safe- 
ly trust  in  her,  but  her  children  loved  her,  revered 
her  counsels,  and  were,  one  by  one,  under  her  sweet 
counsels  and  godly  example,  and  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  led  to  the  Saviour  of  sinners  as  their  hope  and 
their  life. 

This  godly  mother  did  not  live  to  see  her  sons 
enter  upon  their  profession,  but  her  strong  faith 
commended  them  to  God,  and  as  she  fell  asleep  she 
felt  that  it  would  be  well  with  the  boys.  The 
prayers  of  pious  parents  are  of  incalculable  value. 
They  go  up  and  and  enter  into  the  ears  of  God  and 


i6  MemoriaL 


are  registered  for  eternal  remembrance.  They  may 
not  all  be  answered  at  once,  nor  in  the  exact  terms  of 
the  asking,  but  answered  they  are,  or  will  be,  in  God's 
own  good  time.  They  are  like  the  vapors  that 
arise  from  the  bosom  of  some  silver  lake  hidden 
away  amid  the  hills.  They  seem  to  be  lost  as 
they  ascend  into  the  regions  of  the  atmosphere. 
The  heavens  look  blue  and  pellucid  as  before ;  but 
those  pure  vapors  are  not  lost.  They  have  ascend- 
ed upon  the  wings  of  the  breath  of  God.  They  will 
appear  again  in  the  form  of  the  little  silver  cloud  that 
will  float  away  and  become  golden  in  the  light  of  the 
setting  sun.  They  will  form  the  dark  visaged  cloud 
on  whose  bosom  will  be  drawn  the  magnificent 
arch  of  the  rainbow.  They  will  gather  into  the 
rugged  outlines  of  the  great  motherly  cloud  from 
whose  capacious  reservoir  will  come  down  the  sum- 
mer rain  that  will  refresh  the  thirsty  earth,  that 
will  bring  out  the  flowers  in  their  beauty,  and  clothe 
the  fields  with  corn.  Even  so  the  prayers  of  a  pious 
mother  offered  up  in  the  faith  of  a  loving,  trusting 
heart,  will  be  heard,  though  the  answer  tarry  long. 
The  blessing  will  come  down  like  the  early  and  lat- 
ter rain,  even  though  it  be  delayed  until  the  voice 
of  that  mother  is  heard  among  the  singers  before 
the  throne. 

A  few  years  ago,  a  stranger  met  a  son  of  this 
praying  woman  and  related  to  him  his  religious  ex- 
perience in  the  following  words  :  "When  I  was  a 
wild,  wicked  young  man  I  passed  the  room  in 
North  East,  where  a  female  prayer  meeting  was  in 


The  Early  Dawn.  ly 

progress.  Curiosity  induced  me  to  tarry  a  moment 
at  the  door,  when  I  recognized  the  voice  of  Mrs. 
Dickson.  She  was  praying  for  me  by  name,  and 
her  petitions  were  so  earnest  and  so  importunate 
that  conviction  seized  upon  my  heart,  and  I  found 
peace  alone  in  the  blood  of  Jesus." 

Mrs.  Dickson  died  suddenly,  of  apoplexy,  on  the 
twenty-seventh  day  of  January,  1836,  in  the  fifty- 
third  year  of  her  age,  and,  to  human  vision,  in  the 
very  midst  of  her  usefulness.  The  college  boys 
were  absent,  and  the  home  was  full  of  sadness,  but 
the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  true  and  righteous,  and 
all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  his  chil- 
dren. 

Such  were  the  parents  of  Cyrus  Dickson.  And 
with  such  an  ancestry,  and  with  such  blood  in  his 
veins,  it  might  well  be  hoped  that,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  his  record  would  be  one  on  which  the  sunlight 
might  gather,  and  of  which  the  Church  might  be 
justly  and  righteously  proud. 

Cyrus  Dickson  was  born  on  the  twentieth  day  of 
December,  18 16.  The  place  was  on  the  shore  of 
Lake  Erie  in  North  East  township,  Erie  county, 
Pennsylvania.  The  family  home  at  that  time  was 
on  an  equality  with  the  homes  of  the  neighbors, 
a  log  cabin  one  story  in  height.  Not  far  away  was 
the  mighty  forest,  and  here  and  there  openings  had 
been  made  by  the  clearings  of  the  neighbors,  with 
their  first  primitive  cabins.  It  was  just  at  sunset 
when  the  announcement  was  made,  that  has 
brought  joy  into  the  world  for  six  thousand  years. 


i8  Memorial, 


that  a  man  child  was  born.  The  next  day,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  customs  of  the  time,  the  neigh- 
bors assembled  to  see  the  little  stranger,  and  tender 
their  congratulations  to  the  parents.  The  boy  was 
presented  in  due  form,  congratulations  were  offered, 
and  the  hospitalities  of  the  home  extended,  when 
the  company  departed.  In  those  days  when  the 
people  were  few  and  dependent  on  each  other  for 
mutual  protection  and  comfort,  an  event  like  this 
caused  more  than  a  gentle  ripple  on  the  current  of 
society.  It  was  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  the 
neighborhood. 

In  the  early  infancy  of  the  child,  his  father  had 
been  reading  with  great  interest  the  life  of  Cyrus 
the  Persian.  He  had  compared  the  prophecies  of 
Isaiah  concerning  him  with  the  life  of  the  man,  and 
the  wonderful  incidents  connected  with  his  work  in 
the  conquest  of  Babylon,  and  the  deliverance  of  Is- 
rael from  the  seventy  years'  captivity,  and  was  filled 
with  such  admiration  for  the  man  and  his  work 
that  he  resolved  that  the  young  son  that  had  so 
recently  come  into  his  family  should  be  called 
Cyrus.  He  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Johnston  Eaton, 
who  was  preaching  at  that  time  at  North  East  for 
a  portion  of  his  time. 

As  the  boy  grew  up  he  had  the  inestimable 
advantage  of  the  counsels  and  prayers  of  a  mother 
who  was  one  of  a  thousand.  His  earliest  recollec- 
tions were  associated  with  quiet  talks  about  Jesus 
and  the  way  of  salvation,  and  earnest  prayers  for 
his  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare.     At  the  time  of 


The  Early  Dawn.  ig 

the  morning  and  evening  prayer ; '  in  the  midst  of 
the  quiet  home  duties  ;  in  the  walks  in  the  garden 
and  in  the  forest ;  and  as  they  sat  down  at  the  close 
of  the  day,  waiting  for  the  night  to  gather,  the 
same  gentle  ministries  were  carried  forward,  and 
always  received  with  a  gentle  feeling  that  there 
was  love  and  goodness  in  the  mother's  work.  In 
this  way  the  boy  grew  up  in  the  knowledge  and 
love  of  Christ  and  on  the  wing  of  the  strong  faith 
of  a  loving  mother's  heart  was  won  to  a  life  ser- 
vice to  the  Saviour  of  sinners. 

It  was  always  the  custom  to  have  family  worship 
in  the  household ;  and  in  the  absence  of  the  father 
the  mother  took  his  place  and  the  duty  was  never 
omitted.  Even  before  Cyrus  made  a  profession  of 
religion,  he  would  at  times  assist  his  mother  by 
taking  his  turn  in  conducting  family  prayers. 

This  public  profession  of  religion  was  made  in 
the  month  of  August,  183 1,  in  the  fifteenth  year  of 
his  age.  What  his  early  religious  exercises  were ; 
what  his  conflicts  and  successes ;  what  his  prayers 
and  their  answers ;  and  what  his  resolutions  and 
soul-consecration,  we  cannot  say,  for  he  was  quiet 
and  reticent,  and  made  no  record  of  his  inner  life, 
feeling  that  this  was  a  matter  between  God  and  his 
own  soul.  But  we  know  that  even  then  his 
thoughts  were  deep  and  earnest.  If  he  prayed,  he 
looked  for  an  answer  to  his  petitions.  If  he  had 
faith,  he  wanted  to  see  daily  fruits  of  that  faith. 
He  wanted  to  feel  day  by  day  the  presence  and 
power  of  God's  Holy  Spirit.     To  him  religion  was 


20  Memorial. 


not  merely  a  name  or  a  profession,  but  a  living, 
abounding  reality,  even  in  the  days  when  like 
Amos,  the  herdman  of  Tekoa,  he  kept  his  father's 
kine,  or  dressed  the  Sycamore  trees  in  the  grove. 

And  here,  amid  these  quiet,  sylvan  scenes,  was 
there  noticed  the  bud  and  the  blossom  of  that  strong, 
vigorous  life  that  bore  such  clusters  of  beauty  and 
richness  when  he  was  called  to  the  Lord's  work  in 
the  pastoral  office,  and  in  the  Secretary's  bureau. 

In  the  days  of  his  boyhood  there  were  not  the 
educational  privileges  of  the  present.  There  was 
the  conflict  with  the  forest.  The  mighty  trees  had 
not  all  been  felled.  That  wonderfully  beautiful 
Lake  Shore  region  had  not  then  put  on  the  garden- 
like appearance  that  belongs  to  it  now.  There  was 
work  for  all,  in  the  clearing,  in  the  field,  and  around 
the  homestead,  and  the  future  Gospel  minister  was 
familiar  with  the  axe,  the  hoe,  and  the  plow.  Per- 
haps even  then  he  had  quiet  dreams  of  a  richer 
husbandry  than  cutting  down  the  forests  and  scatter- 
ing the  rich  wheat  upon  the  furrowed  ground.  Per- 
haps even  then  he  thought  of  sowing  the  seed  of 
the  word,  and  the  gathering  in  of  the  glorious  har- 
vest of  God. 

What  the  memories  of  this  old  time  home  were,  and 
how  they  clung  to  him,  and  what  impression  they 
made  upon  his  mind,  may  be  seen  from  two  letters 
written  to  his  father,  during  his  pastoral  life  at 
Wheeling.  They  were  penned  on  two  of  his  birth- 
days, most  probably  in  the  quiet  of  his  study.  These 
birth-days  seem  to  have  been  observed  by  him  as 


The  Early  Dawn.  21 

times  of  special  thought  and  reflection,  and  to  have 
been  marked  with  white  stones  as  the  old  Romans 
noted  their  sacred  days.  His  wonderful  imagination 
had  brought  up  the  past  in  all  its  vividness  and 
beauty.  Though  a  strong  man  yet,  with  the  experi- 
ence of  one  who  had  battled  with  the  world  and  won, 
he  now  looks  through  the  child's  eyes,  and  every- 
thing is  tinted  with  gold.  He  is  the  child  once 
more.  He  hears  his  father's  voice.  He  looks  upon 
his  mother's  golden  hair  and  into  her  deep,  soft  eyes, 
and  the  world's  cares  and  toils  are  forgotten.  Sweet 
dreams  of  peace  are  upon  him.  He  is  no  longer  sur- 
rounded by  the  bustle  and  roar  of  the  city,  but  amid 
the  forest  shades,  with  the  sweet  music  of  the  bil- 
lows of  Lake  Erie  sounding  in  the  distance. 

And  then  he  thinks  of  the  loved  ones  in  the  pic- 
ture, as  having  gone  up  to  stand  before  the  throne, 
and  their  voices  are  soft  and  sweet  like  the  distant 
tones  of  silver  bells  !  Then  a  feeling  of  gratitude  and 
thankfulness  comes  into  his  heart  for  all  the  good- 
ness of  the  past,  and  the  sweet  hopes  of  the  coming 
life  and  the  coming  glory  ! 

These  letters  give  us  glimpses  of  the  boy  and  of 
the  man  at  the  same  time,  and  show  us  something 
of  his  inner  life  and  the  wonderful  resources  of  hi? 
mental  and  spiritual  nature. 

To   his   father,  on    his    thirty-seventh    Birthday. 

Wheeling,  Dec.  20,  1853, 
"My   birthday  brings    to    my  mind  the  old   log 
house  in  which  I  was  born,  with  its  window  to- 


22  Me7noriaL 


ward  the  road  and  the  lake — Its  little  porch  in 
front.  Then  I  remember  the  'addition'  of  one  story, 
built  at  the  west  side,  towards  the  garden — then, 
at  a  later  day,  'the  new  room',  built  at  the  south 
end,  with  its  sunny  window  and  brick  chimney 
that  had  jambs.  The  fireplace  in  the  old  house 
had  none  and  could  accommodate  a  'back  log'  al- 
most as  long  as  the  house  itself.  I  remember  the 
well,  first  boarded  up,  and  then  walled  with  stone, 
with  the  buttonwood  curb,  with  the  notch  to  let 
the  well  pole  go  down  farther,  when  the  water  was 
low.  I  remember  old  Ned  and  Bob  the  sorrel 
horse,  that  would  not  let  every  body  catch  him. 
And  there  was  old  Lion  and  little  black  Trip,  dogs 
dear  to  my  childhood. 

How  well  I  remember  the  day  when  you  and 
James,  (who  by  the  way  I  thought  the  greatest 
young  man  of  his  day),  started  with  old  Ned  and 
the  little  wagon  all  the  way  to  Zanesville  to  see 
Aunt  Betsey — a  trip  to  China  would  appear  no 
greater  now  than  that  did  then.  Away  to  Zmiesville  ! 
I  remember  too  how  as  a  tired  little  boy  I  slept 
near  you  in  the  'trundle-bed',  and  slept  and  dreamed 
so  sweetly.  The  same  boy  used  to  lie  on  his  back 
on  the  grass  in  the  door  yard  and  look  up  into  the 
clear  blue  sky  and  wonder  where  heaven  and  God 
were,  and  if  he  should  ever  see  God.  Then  he 
began  to  long  to  be  a  minister,  or  rather  a  preacher. 

A  thousand  memories  more  press  upon  my 
mind,  or  rather  bubble  up  in  my  heart  like  a  foun- 
tain. 


The  Ea7dy  Dawn.  2^ 

I  humbly  hope  that  the  merciful  kindness  that 
has  upheld  me  hitherto  will  continue  to  sustain. 
My  earnest  desire  is  to  be  more  obedient  to  the  di- 
vine will.  A  review  of  my  past  days  affords  me 
but  little  pleasure.  So  many  golden  days  misspent, 
so  many  means  of  improvement  to  myself,  and  use- 
fulness to  others,  neglected.  So  many  solemn  res- 
olutions broken,  in  short,  so  much  of  sin  in  every 
thing,  that  the  retrospect  is  a  sad  one.  My  only 
hope  is  in  Him  whose  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 

I  am  now,  I  imagine,  on  the  short  end  of  the 
road.  Twice  37  are  74,  to  which  I  never  expect  to 
attain.  Human  life  would  be  a  sorrowful  pilgrim- 
age if  there  was  no  rest  expected  at  the  end." 

To  his  Father  on  his  42d  birthday. 

Baltimore,  Dec.  20,  1858. 
I  would  not  relinquish  the  memories  of  the  old 
log  house  with  its  morning  and  evening  worship, 
for  the  splendor  of  palaces.  I  can  hear  your  voice 
now,  and  mother's,  and  James',  and  William's,  and 
the  younger  ones'  in  the  old  familiar  tunes.  I  can 
see  the  big  'back-log,'  and  'fore-stick'  on  the  fire  of 
a  winter's  night  and  can  hear  the  chapters,  and  the 
hymns,  and  the  prayers  that  entered  my  childish 
heart  never  to  pass  away.  These  memories  con- 
nect me  with  heaven,  for  many  of  those  who  sat 
around  the  warming  winter  fire,  are  now  in  the 
calm,  sweet  sunshine  of  the  everlasting  paradise  of 
God.  Their  song  and  worship  is  with  the  countless 
congregation." 


2^  Memorial. 


He  was  his  mother's  boy,  partaking  not  only  of 
her  warm,  affectionate  nature,  and  her  deep,  earnest 
sympathies,  but  clinging  closely  and  firmly  to  her, 
in  childhood,  in  early  manhood,  and  in  his  life-long 
memories  after  she  had  been  called  to  the  perfect 
world.  He  loved  to  linger  in  her  presence  in  the 
early  home.  He  strove  to  lighten  her  toils.  He 
was  glad  to  share,  as  far  as  possible,  her  cares.  He 
was  happy  in  the  sweet  sunlight  of  her  smile.  Her 
counsels  were  to  him  fine  gold,  to  be  treasured  up 
in  his  secret  heart,  and  to  be  improved  in  the  daily 
ordering  of  his  life. 

And  whilst  that  mother's  counsels,  as  regards  the 
religious  life,  were  not  obtrusive,  nor  enforced  at  un- 
due seasons,  nor  in  a  harsh,  magisterial  way,  their 
influence  was  most  sweet  and  persuasive.  There 
was  back  of  all  a  quiet,  consistent,  religious  life,  she 
lived  for  herself,  and  the  hallowed  influence  she  ex- 
erted upon  others.  Then  her  counsel  came  out  to 
the  boy  quietly  and  naturally  as  the  perfume  flows 
forth  from  the  flowers,  or  the  light  from  the  stars, 
and  the  result  was  most  blessed  and  hallowed  on 
the  life  of  the  boy,  and  continued  to  bless  and 
strengthen  the  man. 

In  his  childhood  days  he  attended  the  country 
school  and  obtained  from  the  teachers  of  that  day 
the  elements  of  an  education  that  was  to  be  supple- 
mented by  the  Academy  and  the  College.  The 
humble  school  house  on  which  the  sun's  rays  beat 
down  fiercely  in  summer,  and  around  which  the 
winter  winds  howled  so  furiously  was  the  scene  of 


The  Early  Dawn.  2§ 

his  first  exploits  as  he  thumbed  the  pages  of  Web- 
ster's Spelling  Book,  the  English  Reader,  and  Da,- 
boll's  Arithmetic,  diversified  by  the  study  of  the 
quaint  pages  of  the  New  England  Primer. 

In  those  days  ladies  taught  in  the  summer  and 
gentlemen  in  the  winter.  They  were  not  vigorous 
nor  accomplished  scholars  ;  but  they  were  diligent 
students  of  Solomon,  and  in  their  practice  carried 
out  his  precepts  to  the  letter,  as  far  as  discipline 
was  concerned.  They  never  spoiled  the  child  by 
sparing  the  rod.  If  they  did  not  advance  their  stu- 
dents over  a  large  amount  of  ground,  they  did  give 
them  line  upon  line  and  precept  upon  precept,  going 
over  the  few  elementary  studies  again  and  again 
until  they  could  not  fail  of  becoming  familiar  with 
them  in  all  their  details. 

It  was  not  until  leaving  home  that  there  was  much 
opportunity  of  pursuing  any  studies  beyond  the 
simplest  rudiments  of  an  English  education.  But 
there  came  to  the  boy  in  the  quiet  home  life  the 
same  call  that  greeted  the  unwilling  ears  of  Jonah 
the  son  of  Amittai.  "Go  preach  the  preaching  that 
I  bid  thee."  And  the  call  fell  on  no  unwilling  ears. 
It  came  to  him  like  the  sweet  South,  full  of  all 
sweetness  and  inspiring  all  joyfulness  and  hopeful- 
ness. 

It  seemed  as  though  there  was  in  the  joyous 
spirit  of  the  boy  in  his  plays  something  of  the 
forecast  of  the  life  labors  of  the  man.  He  was  a 
preacher  from  his  childhood.  In  the  plays  of 
childhood  there  is  always  the  putting   on    of    the 


26  Memorial. 


cares  and  burdens  of  mature  life.  There  is  the 
imitation  of  all  forms  of  business  and  responsibil- 
ity. With  the  light-hearted  and  joyous  there  is  the 
taking  on  of  the  burdens  that  crush  and  wear  out 
the  strong  and  the  mature.  There  is  the  eager 
longing  for  mature  manhood  and  womanhood. 

In  these  mimic  plays  there  was  often  that  of  the 
church  service.  And  when  the  little  congregation 
assembled  with  well  simulated  gravity,  by  common 
consent,  young  Cyrus  was  always  expected  to  play 
the  role  of  preacher.  And  this  position  he  always 
maintained  with  gravity  and  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  the  audience. 

He  was  known  among  his  fellows  as  a  bright, 
cheerful,  hopeful  boy,  eager  and  impetuous  in  his 
spirits,  and  always  striving  to  show  kindness  and 
sympathy  towards  his  companions.  No  shout  was 
louder  than  his  in  the  playground ;  no  one  excelled 
him  in  the  sports  of  the  recess,  and  when  the  hour 
of  study  came  there  was  the  same  diligence  over 
his  books  and  the  same  devotion  to  home  duties. 
What  he  did  was  done  with  a  will  and  a  desire  to 
excel. 

In  those  early  days  he  developed  a  decided  mili- 
tary taste.  Whether  it  was  the  rebound  of  the  in- 
fluence and  association  of  his  name,  or  the  result 
of  his  early  reading  of  "Plutarch's  Lives,"  or  the 
natural  bent  of  his  mind  in  this  direction  we  do 
not  know.  But  the  taste  was  so  strong  that  some 
of  his  companions  supposed  that  he  was  destined 
for  army  life,  and   even  honored  him  with  a  milita- 


The  Early  Dawn.  2'/ 

ry  title  by  a  kind  of  brevet  that  clung  to  him 
whilst  he  remained  at  home.  He  was  a  leader  and 
an  organizer  then  as  he  was  in  after  life. 

But  he  was  to  be  simply  a  soldier  of  the  cross. 
He  was  to  be  but  a  member  of  the  grand  army  of 
the  Lord  that  is  to  go  on  conquering  and  to  con- 
quer, even  though  the  soldiers  fall  at  the  front  and 
give  place  to  others.  But  he  was  to  occupy  a 
prominent  position  in  the  high  places  of  the  field. 
And  the  early  training  and  discipline  and  self-de- 
pendence, and  self-assertion  of  the  boy  served  to 
assist  in  the  thorough  preparation  of  the  man  for 
the  varied  and  important  work  that  was  before  him. 
In  all  these  ways  and  by  all  these  varied  paths  the 
hand  of  the  Great  Teacher  was  guiding  him  and 
moulding  and  influencing  him  for  his  work  in  the 
upbuilding  of  His  kingdom. 

"The  cliild  is  father  of  the  man." 

There  were  the  same  traits  traceable,  in  a  small- 
er degree,  in  the  child  at  home  that  characterized 
the  mature  man,  engaged  in  his  sacred  calling. 
The  flame  that  finally  consumed  the  Secretary,  was 
kindled  up  in  childhood,  and  prevailed  in  boyhood 
and  early  manhood.  The  young  boy  student  had 
the  same  singleness  of  aim,  and  devotion  of  pur- 
pose that  characterized  the  man.  And  down  by 
the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  with  its  scenes  of  wondrous 
beauty,  the  diligent  zeal  was  kindled  that  was  to 
burn  and  glow  in  the  great  Metropolis  of  the  country 
until  its  light  and  influence  should  reach  out  over 
the  great  prairies  of  the  west,  beyond  the  mighty 


28  Memorial. 


towers  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  and  along  the  ma- 
jestic slope  of  the  Pacific. 

The  boy  began  the  work  of  the  man,  and  seemed 
straightened  until  that  work  was  accomplished. 
And  what  though  that  zeal  did  consume  him } 
What  though  the  lamp  did  seem  to  burn  all  too 
brightly  for  the  continuance  of  its  light,  when  it 
was  to  be  of  such  signal  benefit  to  the  Church  and 
the  world,  in  leading  them  onward  in  their  prog- 
ress }  In  the  boy  it  was  the  kindling  up  of  a  flame 
that  urged  him  forward  to  begin  the  work  of  prep- 
aration and  to  the  completion  of  his  studies.  It 
was  to  lead  him  to  the  contemplation  of  great 
thoughts  and  good  purposes ;  to  deepen  his  convic- 
tions ;  to  broaden  his  views,  and  inspire  his  courage 
for  the  great  work  to  which  a  mother's  love  had  set 
him  apart ;  to  which  the  voice  of  God  had  called 
him  in  the  secret  chambers  of  his  heart ;  and  to 
which  his  country  and  the  world  were  inviting  him. 

And  in  all  this  child-life  the  appreciative  mind 
can  notice  the  hand  and  the  voice  of  the  mother. 
From  the  day  of  his  birth  she  had  dedicated  him  to 
the  Lord.  With  a  strong  faith  in  the  God  of  her 
fathers  and  her  own  God,  she  had  the  conviction 
that  the  offering  would  be  accepted  and  her  best 
wishes  fulfilled.  On  one  occasion  she  said  to  a 
friend :  ''I  devoted  him  to  the  Lord  from  the  hour 
of  his  birth ;  and  I  have  prayed,  O  how  earnestly, 
that  God  would  spare  his  life  and  make  him  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel."  And  this  anxiety  never 
ceased.     It  found  its  embodiment  in  the  quiet  talks, 


The  Early  Dawn.  2g 

in  the  judicious  advice  as  to  reading  and  thinking 
and  praying.  And  above  ail,  it  was  manifested 
beyond  a  doubt  in  the  eafnest  supplication  before 
God  in  the  secret  place  of  prayer.  There  this 
godly  woman  was  in  the  habit  of  bringing  all  her 
troubles  and  cares  and  anxieties,  and  there  she  left 
them,  knowing  how  strong  the  shoulder  is  that 
bears  up  the  whole  universe. 

And  this  inheritance  of  registered  prayers  in  the 
secret  place  of  the  Most  High  is  better  than  the 
gold  mines  of  Nevada  or  the  diamond  fields  of  the 
Orient.  It  brought  light  and  joy  to  the  little  boy 
who  played  around  the  Dickson  homestead ;  to  the 
school  boy  who  sat  on  the  low  benches  of  the  un- 
comfortable country  school  house ;  to  the  minister 
in  the  desk ;  to  the  secretary  in  his  office ;  and  to 
the  humble,  trusting  Christian  man  when  he  laid 
him  down  to  die,  when  his  work  was  accomplished. 


II.  THE  STUDENT. 


"I  zvould  study,  I  would  htow,  I  would  admire  for- 
ever. These  works  of  thoiLght  have  been  the  enter- 
tainments  of  the  huniait  spirit  in  all  ages'' 

Emerson. 

''Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing;  Therefore  get 
wisdom  ;  and  with  all  thy  getting  get  understanding,'' 

Prov.   IV.   7. 


II.     THE  STUDENT. 


The  bright,  active  lad  had  long  been  dedicated  to 
the  Lord  for  the  Gospel  ministry.  Many  a  council 
had  been  held.  Many  plans  had  been  discussed. 
The  parents  had  resolved  themselves  into  a  com- 
mittee of  ways  and  means.  There  was  the  farm, 
but  very  little  money  found  its  way  into  the  treas- 
ury of  the  household.  There  was  plenty  of  wheat 
and  corn ;  but  neither  of  these  valuable  commodi- 
ties would  bring  money  in  the  market,  even  at  a 
low  nominal  price.  Live  stock  was  not  in  demand  ; 
even  the  white  fleeces  of  the  sheep  could  be  used 
only  in  the  home  manufacture  of  yarn  and  cloth  for 
family  use.  The  call  upon  the  father  for  occasional 
service  in  the  public  works  always  brought  money  ; 
but  this  was  by  no  means  a  constant  source  of  sup- 
ply. There  was  plenty  but  not  in  the  precise 
shape  that  would  be  necessary  in  order  to  meet  the 
expenses  of  the  college  and  other  places  of  educa- 
tion. How  was  the  all  important  matter  to  be 
brought  about  .'* 

But  these  parents  had  been  in  the  habit  of  trust- 
ing in  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  they  now  resolved 
to  do  what  seemed  to  them  duty,  and  leave  the 
matter  of  a  complete  solution  of  the  problem  to 
Providence. 


j^  Memorial, 

The  young  man  was  taken  into  the  council. 
There  must  be  a  course  of  long  and  severe  study, 
with  close  economy  on  the  part  of  the  boy.  This 
was  explained  to  him  ;  and  the  boy  well  knew  that 
there  would  be  diligence  and  economy  in  the  home, 
with  self-denial  and  many  a  sacrifice  with  all  par- 
ties. But  there  was  to  the  boy  the  inward  impulse 
of  a  strong,  hopeful  nature,  born  of  the  Spirit  of 
God ;  and  on  the  part  of  the  parents  their  early 
vow  to  God ;  their  dedication  of  their  son  to  the 
work  of  preaching  the  gospel,  and  on  the  mother's 
part  the  dream  that  had  been  in  her  sleeping  and 
waking  thoughts  from  the  day  he  was  born,  that 
her  son  was  to  be  called  to  honor  God  in  the  Gos- 
pel of  His  Son.  And  to  accomplish  all  these 
things  there  was  the  willing  heart,  the  earnest  pur- 
pose and  the  soul's  utmost  endeavor. 

Just  at  that  time  Providence  favored  the  move- 
ment. A  teacher  had  opened  a  school  somewhat 
above  the  ordinary  grade  in  the  near  neighborhood. 
On  the  twentieth  day  of  December,  183 1,  Cyrus  com- 
menced going  to  the  school  of  Joseph  M.  Hays,  as 
the  preparatory  step  to  schools  of  a  higher  grade. 
Here  he  probably  began  the  Latin  Grammar,  with 
a  look  into  Algebra,  and  the  elementary  departments 
of  Natural  Science. 

Early  the  next  Spring  arrangements  were  in 
progress  to  send  him  to  a  school  of  higher  grade. 
All  things  were  arranged.  The  slender  wardrobe 
was  packed  in  the  modest  trunk.  The  mother's 
kiss  was  given  to  the  boy  at  the  gate  as  both  strug- 


The  Student.  jj 


gled  to  be  brave,  and  the  first  separation  took  place, 
the  gentle,  weeping  mother  knowing  well  that  her 
boy  was  leaving  the  roof  tree  of  home  to  return  no 
more  as  its  permanent  inmate. 

The  Erie  Academy  was  selected  as  the  place  to 
begin  the  work.  On  the  morning  of  April  seven- 
teenth 1832,  father  and  son  entered  the  grounds  of 
the  old  Academy  where  so  many  have  learned  the 
elements  of  an  education  that  has  advanced  them  in 
business  and  professional  life.  And  as  the  youth 
looked  at  the  venerable  stone  building,  and  listened 
to  the  shouts  of  the  boys  who  had  not  yet  been 
called  in  to  their  studies  he  wondered  if  he  would 
ever  feel  at  home  among  them. 

The  institution  was  at  that  time  presided  over  by 
Asa  E.  Foster,  a  graduate  of  an  eastern  college, 
and  a  famous  teacher  in  his  day.  He  was  a  tall, 
grave,  clerical  looking  man,  who  never  smiled  save 
when  the  Greek  verb  ''Tuptd'  was  conjugated  reg- 
ularly ;  or  when  some  crisp  sentence  in  Horace 
was  translated  happily.  He  was  always  dressed  in 
black,  was  always  dignified,  and  always  had  the  best 
interests  of  his  scholars  at  heart.  With  him  our 
young  neophite  commenced  anew  the  mysteries  of 
Ross'  Latin  Grammar,  with  its  close  and  inseparable 
companion,  "Historia  Sacra,"  and  great  was  his  joy 
when  he  was  able  to  translate  and  parse  the  first 
sentence  in  the  latter :  *'Deus  creavit  coelum  et 
terra  intra  sex  dies." 

The  young  man  made  good  progress.  With  his 
natural  brightness  and  ambition  to    excel  and  his 


^6  Memorial. 


knowledge  of  the  hopes  of  his  parents  for  his  best 
interests,  and  their  ardent  prayers  for  his  future 
success,  he  gave  himself  wholly  to  his  books  and 
preparation  for  College.  And  in  these  early  strug- 
gles the  boy  learned  those  habits  of  diligence  and 
self-denial  and  economy  that  served  him  so  well  in 
all  his  professional  life.  In  the  exercise  of  these  he 
was  carried  successfully  through  his  higher  grades 
of  studies,  his  early  settlement  as  pastor  in  a  poor, 
struggling  congregation,  as  well  as  in  conducting 
successfully  and  economically  the  benevolent  affairs 
of  the  Church  at  large.  The  foundations  were  being 
laid  for  a  work  that  was  to  astonish  the  Church  in 
the  coming  days. 

There  is  something  noble  and  admirable  in  these 
early  life  struggles  through  which  so  many  of  our 
educated  and  professional  men  pass.  The  attain- 
ment of  an  education  by  individual  effort,  put  forth 
almost  single  handed,  is  one  of  the  fruits  gathered 
from  the  tree  of  knowledge  that  does  not  turn  to 
ashes  on  the  lip.  It  brings  about  a  discipline  of 
all  the  powers  of  the  mind  and  all  the  resources  of 
the  soul.  It  gives  self-reliance,  forms  a  habit  of 
study  that  is  not  easily  broken  up,  and  engenders 
an  independence  of  thought  and  action,  that  admir- 
ably fits  the  young  scholar  for  the  stern  duties  and 
requirements  of  life.  The  most  important  places 
in  the  Church  and  in  the  State  are  filled  by  men 
who  were  born  and  reared  amid  the  struggles  of  a 
narrow  estate  and  who  carved  out  the  way  to  success 
with  their  own  strong  hands,  and  who  were  familiar 


The  Student.  jy 


with  the  hardships  and  labors  pertaining  to  self  ef- 
fort. 

The  plenty  of  the  home  and  the  abundance  of  pe- 
cuniary resources,  and  future  prospects  of  the  young 
often  cut  the  sinews  of  mental  activity  and  dwarf 
and  paralyze  those  who  else  might  have  been  active 
and  great  amongst  their  fellows.  The  muscles  of 
the  mind,  the  intellect,  the  understanding,  require 
to  be  exercised  as  do  those  of  the  body,  and  the 
very  life  and  death  struggles  of  many  an  earnest 
soul,  are  the  means  of  developing  powers  and  capa- 
bilities that  had  never  been  known  nor  suspected 
without  these  struggles.  The  Heavenly  Father 
knows  best  what  training  his  children  need  to  fit 
them  for  their  high  calling.  And  the  earnest  toil- 
ing and  the  patient  waiting  will  be  more  than  recom- 
pensed by  the  strength  and  powers  of  endurance  of 
the  heart  and  soul  in  the  great  work  of  life. 

The  young  student  was  at  home  once  more.  The 
Autumn-time  had  come.  The  wheat  had  been  cut, 
bound  into  bundles  and  stowed  away  in  the  barn, 
and  the  fragrant  hay  in  the  mow.  But  these  once 
familiar  things  were  losing  their  interest  in  the 
eyes  of  the  scholar.  Even  in  the  brief  summer  that 
had  passed,  he  had  obtained  glimpses  into  a  new 
world — a  world  of  thought,  of  knowledge,  of  power 
growing  out  of  that  knowledge.  He  had  glanced 
into  but  few  books  as  yet,  and  had  mastered  none  ; 
but  he  had  had  glimpses  into  something  great  and 
wonderful  that  might  be  attained  by  the  diligent 
soul.     This  something  was  dim  and  obscure,  and 


j8  Memojnal, 


but  half  formed  in  his  mind ;  yet  he  felt  that  there 
was  a  reality  in  it.  It  was  like  the  glimpses  we  get 
in  the  deep  star-light  as  we  peer  into  the  Nebulae 
of  Andromeda,  seeming  like  a  distant  window,  re- 
vealing a  deeper  heaven  and  a  more  glorious  pros- 
pect, if  we  could  but  approach  a  little  nearer  to  it. 
And  with  this  view  opening  to  his  mind  in  the  dim 
distance,  the  student  resolved  in  his  inmost  soul 
that  he  would  pursue  the  light  until  his  object  was 
accomplished.  A  love  of  study  had  been  kindled  up 
in  his  soul  that  must  be  gratified.  The  student  life 
had  now  fairly  commenced,  and  henceforth  there  was 
to  be  neither  farm  nor  merchandise. 

He  was  now  to  go  to  college.  His  father  had 
been  long  familiar  with  Jefferson  college  through 
its  students.  He  knew  its  traditional  history.  All 
his  old  friends  amongst  the  ministers  had  graduated 
there ;  and  above  all  he  felt  that  a  special  blessing 
had  always  rested  upon  the  Institution.  A  large 
portion  of  its  students  had  entered  the  ministry, 
and  it  had  been  the  scene  of  many  precious  revi- 
vals, as  the  Spirit  of  God  had  been  poured  out  upon 
it,  reviving  those  who  were  Christians  and  bringing 
many  who  were  outside  of  the  Church  within  its 
pale.  Jefferson  College  was  therefore  selected  as 
the  college  home  of  the  young  student.  The  young 
man  was  soon  domiciled  amid  the  hills  of  Washing- 
ton County,  and  learned  to  climb  the  hill  on  which 
the  ancient  town  of  Canonsburg  is  located.  He 
made  the  fatherly  acquaintance  of  Dr.  Brown,  and 
soon  felt  himself  at  home  amid  the  new  surround- 


The  Student,  jg 


ings,  entering  the  preparatory  department  on  the 
first  of  November,  1832. 

There  is  extant  the  first  letter  written  after  leav- 
ing home.  It  is  addressed  to  his  mother,  and  is 
reproduced  to  show  the  honest,  simple,  and  con- 
scientious heart  of  the  boy,  at  his  entrance  upon 
college  life.  Even  its  crudities  are  interesting  as 
showing  the  good,  solid  foundation  on  which  the 
fine  mental  structure  was  reared  in  after  years.  He 
was  at  this  time  in  his  sixteenth  year. 

Jefferson  College,  Cononsburg,  Penn., 

Nov.  19,  1832. 
My  Dear  Mother  : 

It  is  with  various  feelings  that  I  take  the  liberty 
of  conversing  with   you   through   the   medium   of 

writing I  shall  give  you  the  details  of   our 

journey.  On  Monday  we  only  reached  Erie  ;  on 
Tuesday  Salem,  Ohio.  Wednesday  we  staid  at  An- 
dover,  Thursday  at  Youngstown,  Saturday  and  Sun- 
day at  Economy,  and  Monday  we  arrived  at  the  far 

famed  city  of  Pittsburg We  crossed  the  two 

rivers,  and  then  went  up  the  Monongahela  to  Eliza- 
bethtown,  and  crossed  the  river  and  then  proceeded 
to  Mr.  Johnston's  on  Tuesday  and  spent  the  day, 
and  took  our  departure  on  Wednesday  morning,  and 
arrived  here  the  same  night.  Father  and  I  spent 
the  next  day  in  searching  for  boarding  for  myself, 
which  was  obtained.  My  spirits  were  low  at 
the  thought  of  separating  from  father  and  John. 
On  Friday  I  entered  college  and  took  my  leave  of 
them  ;    but  O  !  language  cannot  express  the  emo- 


40  Memorial. 


tion  of  my  soul.  It  was  like  the  rending  of  one  limb 

from  another Father  told  me  that  he  thought 

you  and  he  would  come  to  see  me  next  summer. 
I  hope  you  may  ;  if  not  I  think  I  shall  visit  you 
next  fall,  as  a  party  of  students  talk  of  visiting  the 
Falls  of  Niagara  on  foot.  Should  this  be  the  case, 
and  you  not  come  here  next  summer,  I  think  I  will 
accompany  them  as  far  as  North  East. 

My  companion  is  a  religious  young  man,  and  has 
the  same  object  before  him  that  I  have.  We  attend 
to  worship  in  our  room  morning  and  night.  I  hope 
that  you  will  not  forget  me  in  your  prayers,  as  I 
have  great  need  of  support.  Tell  Amos  Gould  that 
I  want  him  to  come  here  as  soon  as  he  can,  for  I 
want  companions  from  that  part  of  the  world.  It  is 
now,  my  dear  parents,  that  I  feel  more  than  ever 
the  want  of  your  direction  and  guidance ;  and  it  is 
now  more  than  ever  that  I  feel  the  loss  of  the  family 
altar,  but  blessed  be  God,  he  has  given  us  the  hope 
that  if  we  should  never  meet  again  on  earth  we  may 
meet  in  another  world,  where  we  shall  never  part. 
My  dear  parents,  I  would  now,  as  I  never  expect  to 
live  with  you  as  I  have  done  in  the  former  part  of 
my  life,  humbly  entreat  your  pardon  for  everything 
in  which  I  have  wounded  your  feelings,  and  espec- 
ially in  religious  matters ;  and  I  would  now  return 
my  warmest  thanks  for  the  interest  and  never  ceas- 
ing care  which  you  have  exercised  over  me  from  my 
cradle  to  the  present  moment.  I  never  expect  to  be 
able  to  compensate  you  for  it,  but  I  pray  that  the 
Lord  may  reward  you  in  this  life  and  in  that  which 


The  Student.  ^i 


is  to  come.     My  love  to  all  the  rest  of  the  family — 
I  wish  you  all  to  write.     Nothing  more  at  present 

from  your  dutiful  son  until  death. 

Cyrus  Dickson. 
P.  S.  My  respects  to  all  my  friends. 

The  famous  institution  was  then  at  the  very 
height  of  its  popularity,  and  was  thronged  with  stu- 
dents from  all  parts  of  the  country,  notably  so  from 
the  Southern  States.  There  was  a  magnetism  about 
Dr.  Matthew  Brown  that  attracted  students  where- 
ever  his  influence  was  felt.  The  wildest  young  men 
respected  him,  and  all  yielded  to  his  fatherly  coun- 
sels and  felt  that  he  was  their  friend. 

The  students  were  accommodated  with  boarding 
houses  in  different  parts  of  the  town.  Some  found 
a. home  in  the  old  college  building,  and  some  on  the 
college  farm,  or  Fort  Tusculum,  as  it  was  called, 
and  others  in  private  houses  that  were  opened  for 
their  accommodation,  and  made  often  very  pleasant 
homes  by  the  care  and  attention  of  the  inmates. 
There  were  some  also  who  boarded  in  clubs,  the  de- 
tails of  which  were  managed  by  themselves,  and 
the  arrangements  adapted  to  their  own  ideas 
of  economy.  Mr.  Dickson  seems  at  first  to  have 
had  his  home  in  the  old  College.  Letters  to  his 
father  and  mother  at  this  time  give  an  idea  of  the 
way  in  which  he  commenced  his  college  life. 

TO  HIS  FATHER. 

Jefferson  College,  Canonsburg, 

December,  24,  1832. 
•  •  •  I  enjoy  as  good  health  as  I  ever  did,  with 


42  MemoriaL 


the  exception  of  a  few  fits  of  homesickness.  '  •  • 
In  your  letter  you  requested  me  to  send  you  a 
statement  of  my  examination,  what  class  I  entered, 
&c.  In  the  first  place  the  faculty  did  not  examine 
me,  but  on  the  account  I  gave  of  my  progress  they 
put  me  in  the  Caesar  class,  which  book  I  find  quite 
easy.  My  situation  is  very  pleasant,  and  I  now 
feel  quite  reconciled,  although  at  first  it  seemed  to 
me  that  I  could  not  content  myself  surrounded  by 
these  lofty  hills,  which  seem  as  barriers  to  the  ap- 
proach of  man.  ...  In  regard  to  religious  duties 
I  endeavor  to  follow  your  advice  as  far  as  possible. 
Last  week  I  presented  my  certificate  to  Dr.  Brown, 
and  I  communed  with  the  church  yesterday.  Dr. 
Brown  is  very  mindful  of  me,  as  he  calls  frequently 
at  my  room,  and  converses  with  and  gives  me  good 
advice  which  I  find  very  useful. 

Your  dutiful  son, 

Cyrus  Dickson. 

to  his  mother. 

Jefferson  College,  December  24th,  1832. 
Dear  Mother : 

The  reception  of  your  letter  gave  me 
much  pleasure,  especially  as  you  said  my  parting 
with  you  gave  you  but  little  pain,  and  that  you 
hoped  you  had  dedicated  me  to  God.  It  is  now 
that  I  know  how  to  prize  you,  for  I  am  sensible 
that  the  person  who  never  lives  away  from  home 
cannot  value  his  parents,  and  I  trust  being  sepa- 
rated from  my  earthly  parents  may  lead  me  to  live 


The  Student.  43 


nearer  to  that  Heavenly  Parent  who  is  the  giver  of 
all  good.  .  .  .  Last  Thursday  I  was  16  years  old. 
It  was  a  solemn  day  to  me,  and  I  trust  spent  in  a 
better  manner  than  any  of  my  former  birthdays. 

Your  affectionate  son, 

Cyrus  Dickson. 

At  this  time  a  farm  was  connected  with  the  insti- 
tution, that  was  designed  to  afford  facilities  for  man- 
ual labor  amongst  the  students.  It  was  supposed  to 
be  adapted  to  the  promotion  of  health  as  well  as  to 
relieve  somewhat  the  burden  of  college  expenses. 
A  building  was  provided  for  studies  and  dormitories, 
the  two  being  combined  in  one.  Sometimes  these 
rooms  served  as  kitchen,  dormitory  and  study,  all 
combined  in  one.  The  land  was  plowed  by  the  col- 
lege team  and  divided  into  lots  and  assigned  to  the 
students  for  cultivation.  They  were  usually  planted 
in  potatoes,  and  the  work  was  performed  during  the 
intervals  of  study.  As  a  matter  of  exercise  it  worked 
very  well,  as  the  time  could  readily  be  spared  from 
books  and  was  not  greater;  than  occupied  for  exer- 
cise in  other  directions.  And  with  a  favorable  sea- 
son and  the  ordinary  care  of  the  crop,  the  proceeds 
were  by  no  means  to  be  undervalued  by  the  student 
anxious  to  practice  economy. 

The  first  session  was  a  laborious  one  to  the  stu- 
dent as  his  studies  at  the  Academy  had  not  been 
well  balanced  with  reference  to  the  classes  in  col- 
lege. As  he  was  in  advance  of  his  class  in  some 
studies  and  behind  in  others,  an  extra  amount  of 


44  Memorial. 


study  was  necessary.  But  the  work  went  forward. 
Caesar's  Commentaries  were  diligently  conned,  and 
the  work  commenced  in  the  Graeca  Minora,  with 
Algebra  and  Geometry.  The  winter  wore  away  at 
last  and  the  spring  vacation  commenced  with  the 
plans  for  the  coming  summer.  Mr.  Dickson  arrang- 
ed to  go  over  to  the  farm  and  take  up  his  quarters 
at  Fort  Tusculum.  the  following  letters  to  his  fa- 
ther speak  of  this  arrangement,  and  of  the  pros- 
pects of  work  in  connection  with  study  : 

TO    HIS    FATHER. 

March,  1833. 
''Agreeably  to  your  desire  and  my  own  I  have  got 
a  place  on  the  farm.  My  room-mate  will  be  Jacob 
Hall,  a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Conrad.  The  terms  are 
these  :  every  student  shall  pay  seventy-five  cents 
and  work  six  hours  every  week  for  his  board,  then 
after  he  has  finished  this  six  hours  he  may  work 
more  (if  he  chooses)  to  any  amount  and  it  shall  be 
deducted  from  the  weekly  seventy-five  cents." 

TO    HIS    FATHER. 

June,  1833. 
''  I  have  the  eighth  of  an  acre  in  potatoes  which 
have  just  come  up  and  look  quite  thrifty,  but  I  fear 
they  will  not  be  ready  to  be  raised  before  the 
beginning  of  next  session.  If  this  should  be  the 
case  I  will  be  obliged  to  pay  my  boarding  for  this 
session  in  cash  and  not  realize  any  benefit  from 
them  until  I  return.  However  it  will  be  as  good 
then  as  now." 


The  Student.  ^5 


TO    HIS    FATHER. 

April,  1834. 

"Dr.  Brown  says  I  shall  have  half  an  acre,  which, 
if  the  season  is  favorable,  will  furnish  a  very  good 
crop.  Next  season  Mr.  Dickson,  the  student,  will 
stop  occasionally  and  converse  with  Cyrus,  the 
farmer." 

The  summer  of  1833  was  passed  finishing  up  the 
studies  of  the  Preparatory  Department  and  the  ex. 
ercise  of  the  field,  and,  with  health  improved  by  the 
work,  he  was  ready  in  the  fall  of  that  year  to  enter 
the  regular  classes,  a  full  fledged  Freshman,  feeling 
perhaps  more  elated  with  his  new  dignity  than  he 
did  when  he  graduated  at  the  close  of  his  college 
studies. 

Perhaps  it  is  well  that  we  do  not  see  at  first  the 
heights  to  which  we  must  ascend  in  preparation  for 
the  great  affairs  of  this  life,  else  we  would  be  utter- 
ly discouraged  ere  the  work  was  accomplished,  and 
sit  down  in  despondency.  But,  as  it  is,  the  work 
grows  upon  us  and  we  see  only  as  we  advance  the 
rising  eminences  up  which  we  must  toil.  And  so  in 
the  morning  hours  we  urge  our  way  upward  think- 
ing that  we  shall  be  up  ere  long,  and  as  we  proceed 
faith  and  courage  increase  and  we  find  ourselves 
at  work  at  evening's  close  just  as  in  the  morning's 
dawn.  And  our  lives  are  better  for  the  work  and 
the  faith  and  the  trial. 

During  his  college  course  the  student  formed 
many  valuable  acquaintances  that  were  useful  to 
him  through  life.     They  were  men  who  took  prom- 


^6  Memorial. 

inent  positions  in  life,  in  the  learned  professions,  and 
in  business,  and  in  scientific  and  literary  life.  They 
were  men  who  often  sat  in  the  councils  of  the  na- 
tion, who  administered  its  laws  and  who  went  as 
Missionaries  to  India,  and  China,  and  who  laid 
down  their  lives  for  the  Lord's  sake. 

He  took  an  active  part  in  the  Brainard  Evengeli- 
cal  Society.  This  was  a  society  of  religious  students 
whose  object  was  the  promotion  of  personal  piety 
and  the  cultivation  of  the  Missionary  spirit  amongst 
the  students. 

In  the  year  1833,  this  Society  published  a  small 
tract  of  four  pages  entitled:  ''Duty  to  the 
Heathen, "  and  resolved  to  place  a  copy  of  it 
in  every  family  in  Western  Pennsylvania.  The 
tract  was  printed  at  Pittsburg,  by  D.  &  M. 
Maclean,  and  was  to  be  distributed  by  the  volunta- 
ry service  of  the  members.  It  was  a  large  under- 
taking, but  the  student  has  large  expectations,  and, 
with  the  hope  of  youth  and  the  dependence  on  the 
help  of  Providence,  the  undertaking  was  com- 
menced. The  time  allotted  to  the  work  was  the  au- 
tumn vacation,  and  it  was  anticipated  that  the  va- 
cation might  be  profitably  spent  in  this  way  both  as 
regards  doing  good  and  promoting  exercise  and 
health,  and  so  fitting  the  agents  for  the  work  of 
the  coming  winter  session. 

The  country  was  districted  amongst  the  members 
of  the  society,  and  volunteers  were  called  for  in 
each  particular  county  or  district.  North-western 
Pennsylvania    was    not    well    represented    in    the 


The  Student.  ^p^ 


Society  and  the  work  was  assigned  to  Mr.  Dick- 
son and  some  students  who  volunteered  to  assist 
in  that  portion  of  the  state.  The  work  went 
forward.  Mr.  Dickson  assumed  a  larger  portion  of 
the  business  than  any  other  student,  because  he 
was  the  only  one  from  Erie  county.  In  connection 
with  two  fellow  students  he  undertook  the  work  of 
distribution  in  nine  townships  in  addition  to  the 
borough  of  Erie.  The  plan  was  to  place  a  copy  of 
the  little  messenger  in  each  household  in  the  dis- 
trict, either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  and  the  result 
was  that  it  was  done  generally  in  person.  The 
plan  was  successfully  carried  out  and  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  next  session  a  favorable  report  was 
rendered.  The  following  letter  to  his  father  will 
throw  light  upon  the  matter  : 

TO  HIS  FATHER. 

Jefferson  College,  1833. 
"In  my  last  I  mentioned  that  I  had  taken  North 
East  and  Harbor  Creek,  in  which  to  distribute  tracts. 
Since  that  time  there  has  been  a  convention  of  the 
students  concerning  the  distribution,  and  all  the 
counties  of  western  Pennsylvania  taken,  excepting 
eleven  townships  of  Erie  county.  As  I  am  the 
only  student  from  that  county,  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  stand  for  the  section  of  country  to  which  I 
belong,  so,  in  connection  with  Messrs.  Hamill  and 
Osborn,  have  agreed  to  place  a  tract  in  every  family 
in  the  towns  of  Erie,  Millcreek,  Harbour-Creek, 
North-East,  Greenfield,  Wayne,  Beaverdam,  Ve- 
nango,  Amity,  Union,  and  Concord.      The  tracts 


^8  Memorial. 


are  furnished  by  the  Brainard  EvangeHcal  Society. 

The  work  is  to  be  done  in  the  month  of  October. 
It  will  of  course  shorten  my  stay  at  home,  for  which 
I  shall  be  very  sorry,  but  I  must  be  engaged  in  'my 
Father's  business.'  " 

Time  passed  and  the  student  made  good  progress 
in  his  studies.  Good  old  Dr.  Brown,  the  President, 
took  special  interest  in  him,  as  he  had  been  partic- 
ularly committed  to  his  care  by  his  father.  Profes- 
sor William  Smith  would  listen  admiringly  to  his 
rapid  conjugation  of  the  famous  old  verb  :  '^Tnptd' 
and  if  he  made  a  blunder  in  the  translation  of  an 
oration  of  Demosthenes,  would,  with  a  sly  twinkle 
of  his  eye,  interrupt  him  by  saying  ;  **Yes,  or  rather 
this  way":  giving  an  entirely  different  meaning  to 
the  sentence.  In  translating  the  sentence  from  the 
same  oration,  "Ne  Dia"  when  the  student  gave  the 
most  obvious  English  meaning,  he  would  say,  with 
imperturbable  gravity,  yet  with  the  same  curious 
twinkle  in  his  eye  :  'Well,  those  old  fellows  would 
swear  a  little  sometimes,  but  you  need  not." 

He  excelled  in  the  languages,  yet  was  by  no 
means  deficient  in  his  knowledge  of  the  mathemat- 
ics. He  was  always  punctual  at  his  class  recitations, 
and  in  class  was  always  ready  for  any  call  that  was 
made  upon  him.  As  a  member  of  the  Philo  Lite- 
rary Society,  he  took  a  prominent  part  in  all  its  de- 
bates, being  specially  ready  in  all  extemporaneous 
speaking,  going  forward  in  his  harangue,  from  the 
first  sharp  annunciation,  "Mr.  Archon,"  until  the 
close  of  his  speech,  as  though  the  matter  had  all 


The  Student.  ^g 


been  carefully  conned  over  in  his  mind  beforehand. 
Yet  with  all  his  wit  and  humour,  and  occasional 
abandon,  he  was  not  in  any  danger  of  losing  sight 
of  the  great  matter  that  was  the  object  of  his  edu- 
cation. This  is  obvious  from  his  letters  to  the 
father,  in  which  more  of  the  heart  of  the  young 
man  is  seen  than  in  any  outward  appearances. 
There  was  at  the  very  bottom  of  his  soul  the  feel- 
ing of  consecration  to  God. 

During  his  first  year  at  college  he  became  anxious 
that  his  older  brother,  George,  should  also  become 
a  student.  The  delights  of  study  and  the  pros- 
pects of  usefulness  had  awakened  a  strong  desire 
that  others  beside  himself  should  share  in  them. 
To  this  end  a  letter  was  written  to  his  father,  sug- 
gesting the  matter,  and  urging  reasons  why  the 
other  brother  should  at  once  abandon  the  farm  and 
turn  his  attention  to  study.  This  letter  that  is  still 
extant  abounds  in  arguments  showing  the  impor- 
tance of  the  idea,  its  reasonableness,  and  the  way 
in  which  it  could  be  carried  out.  It  also  insisted 
that  the  plan  was  entirely  practicable,  and  could  be 
carried  out  with  ease,  inasmuch  as  they  were  both 
economical  in  their  habits,  and  would  not  draw 
heavily  on  the  home  exchequer.  The  brother  at 
home  rather  objected  at  the  first,  but  on  reflection 
concluded  to  abandon  his  home  plans  and  join  his 
brother  in  his  studies. 

The  final  result  was  that  the  two  brothers  were 
soon  at  Canonsburgh  pursuing  their  studies  togeth- 
er,   although    George   was    two    years    behind    his 


§0  Memorial, 


younger  brother.  George  M.  Dickson  was  gradua- 
ted in  the  year  1839,  two  years  after  his  brother: 
studied  law  at  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  and  died 
in  1841. 

In  the  fall  of  1834  the  two  brothers  were  greatly 
gratified  by  a  visit  from  their  parents  who  remained 
until  after  the  commencement  and  then  took  them 
with  them  to  spend  the  vacation  in  visiting  some  of 
the  old  scenes  of  their  father's  early  life  in  the 
county  of  Westmoreland  ;  thence  to  the  home  of 
Rev.  Robert  Johnston,  his  early  friend.  After  these 
visits  had  been  concluded  the  boys  returned  to  their 
studies,  and  commenced  the  labors  of  another  year. 

Whilst  they  were  quietly  pursuing  their  studies,  a 
great  sorrow  fell  upon  them  from  which  they  were 
long  recovering.  Cyrus  was  at  the  post  office  and 
saw  in  the  list  in  the  window  his  own  name  as  the 
recipient  of  a  letter.  A  sharp  tap  on  the  window 
and  the  letter  was  handed  out  to  him.  It  bore  the 
old  familiar  home  post  mark,  and  was  endorsed  in 
his  father's  hand  writing.  In  his  excitement  the 
letter  was  torn  open  on  the  porch  of  the  post  office, 
and  the  first  lines  informed  him  of  the  death  of  his 
mother.  She  had  died  suddenly  of  apoplexy.  He 
could  read  no  farther.  His  heart  beat  convulsively 
for  a  moment  and  then  seemed  to  stop,  as  though 
it  would  never  resume  its  functions.  There  was 
the  one  feeling — to  get  to  his  room  and  be  alone 
with  his  great  sorrow.  On  his  way  he  met  his 
friend,  F.  A.  Muhlenberg,  who  noticed  that  some 
great  grief  had  fallen  upon  him  and  eagerly  inquir- 


The  Student.  5/ 


ed  what  was  the  matter.  He  told  him  of  his  loss 
and  begged  him  to  go  and  tell  his  brother  George, 
as  he  could  not.  When  the  announcement  was 
made  to  his  brother  he  fainted,  and,  as  the  result  of 
the  shock,  was  seriously  ill  for  a  number  of  days. 

This  was  the  first  great  sorrow  in  Mr.  Dickson's 
life,  and  its  shadow  fell  upon  him  at  times  as  long 
as  he  lived.  At  such  times  he  was  unusually  ten- 
der, and  the  chastened  thoughts  that  it  inspired 
gave  tone  to  his  feelings  and  conversation.  His 
mother's  memory  was  always  dear  to  him.  His  af- 
fection for  her  was  unusually  strong  and  never 
faded  in  his  heart.  He  always  felt  that  to  her  he 
owed  all  that  was  valuable  in  his  heart  and  in  his 
life,  from  her  early  influence  and  training.  And 
here  amid  the  gathering  shadows  of  the  evening  he 
recalled  everything  of  the  past — the  little  cabin 
where  he  was  born — the  first  prayer  his  mother 
had  taught  him — her  earnest  talks  about  the  Sa- 
viour— how  he  had  often  been  awaked  in  the  night 
by  a  whispered  voice  and  found  her  praying  over 
him  as  he  lay  in  his  little  bed.  He  could  even  re- 
cal  something  of  the  burden  of  those  prayers — that 
God  would  make  her  boy  his  own  dear  child — that, 
even  as  she  had  dedicated  him  to  His  service  in  the 
ministry,  He  would  accept  the  offering  and  watch 
over  and  bless  him,  and  keep  him  until  the  time  of  re- 
demption. And  he  felt  that  those  prayers  had  been 
answered  in  part,  and  he  believed,  now  that  hi^ 
mother  was  in  heaven,  they  would  all  be  answered 
and   there   came  to   him  the   thought  too  that  he 


^2  Memorial. 


should  see  his  mother  once  more,  even  in  the  glo- 
rified vision  of  holiness,  and  be  with  her  forever. 

It  was  long  before  the  shadows  were  lifted  from  the 
young  student's  heart,  for  with  all  the  aids  of  faith 
the  thought  was  almost  more  than  he  could  bear,  that 
he  would  see  her  face  no  more  in  this  world.  Home 
had  lost  its  attraction,  and  it  seemed  as  though  the 
visits  to  the  old  home  would  no  longer  be  desirable 
now  that  the  light  had  all  faded  out  from  it,  and  the 
old  attraction  gone  forever.  But  the  winter  wore 
away ;  time  brought  healing  in  its  touch  ;  the  duties 
of  the  class  kept  his  mind  busy  ;  the  thoughts  of  oth- 
ers' burdens  softened  his  feelings  and  the  spring  ap- 
proached, reminding  him  of  the  care  and  attention 
that  were  now  wanted  for  the  preservation  of  his  own 
health.  This  had  been  a  source  of  anxiety  to  his 
friends  for  some  time,  and  at  last  the  thought  was 
forced  upon  his  own  mind  that  he  was  breaking  down 
under  the  anxiety  and  study  of  the  last  session. 

A  few  extracts  from  the  letter  of  an  old  college 
friend*  will  throw  light  on  the  manner  and  habits 
of  the  young  student. 

**With  great  kindness  and  regard  for  my  welfare 
he  gave  me  some  cautions  with  regard  to  some  wild 
and  irreligious  students  who  were  boarding  in  the 
same  house  with  myself  ....  I  was  one  year  in 
advance  of  him  in  the  regular  studies  of  the  course, 
but  he  was  far  my  superior  in  wisdom  and  mental 
discipline  ....  I  can  still  see  him  arrayed  in  his 
swallow  tailed  coat,  trudging   down  to   the   pump 


*  Prof.  F.  A.  Muhlenberg. 


The  Student.  jj 


which  stood  at  the  south-east  corner  of  the  Campus, 
with  his  stone  pitcher,  to  draw  the  cool  water  out 
of  the  deep  cistern,  with  no  occasion  for  ice,  and 
without  any  tax  for  its  use.  It  was  the  sweetest 
water  we  ever  drank.  I  might  almost  wish,  as  Da- 
vid did,  when  thinking  of  the  well  of  Bethlehem, 
that  I  could  go  back  again  and  drink  with  my  old 
friend  out  of  the  stone  pitcher  once  more  ....  He 
had  a  natural  vein  of  pleasantry  in  him.  This  he 
must  have  inherited  from  his  father ;  his  mother,  if 
I  mistake  not,  ....  was  of  a  more  serious  temper- 
ament, though  very  kind-hearted  and  deeply  relig- 
ious. I  can  still  hear  his  merry  laugh,  ringing  in 
my  ears  as  he  indulged  in  his  playful  pleasantry 
with  the  friends  who  were  gathered  around  his  fire- 
place in  his  room.  Occasionally  he  would  pass  un- 
der a  cloud  and  become  despondent  ....  When 
he  got  into  such  moods  he  would  repeat  his  favorite 
sentiments  from  classic  English  poets  of  whom  he 
was  a  constant  student,  and  among  these  Shaks- 
peare  and  Beattie  appeared  to  be  his  favorites'  .  .  . 
As  I  did  not  recite  with  him  it  is  not  in  my  power 
to  give  any  information  as  to  his  standing  in  his 
class,  ....  but  I  do  know  that  he  was  a  great  rea- 
der of  History,  and  polite  Literature,  and  was  one 
of  the  best  debaters,  and  most  eloquent  extempo- 
raneous speakers  we  had  at  college,  and  that  is  very 
much  to  his  credit,  for  the  older  members  of  the 
Society  were  eminently  distinguished  in  these  re- 
spects. The  most  of  them  were  men,  not  boys. 
The  saddest  event  that  befel  him  while  at  College 


5^  Memorial. 


was  the  death  of  his  mother,  to  whom  he  was  most 
tenderly  attached.  His  grief  for  her  was  permanent, 
and  exerted  a  marked  influence  on  his  character. 
Her  loss  deepened  the  shadows  that  often  rested  on 
his  spirit ;  but  it  was  no  doubt  designed  by  God  to 
prepare  him  more  fully  for  the  great  labors  of  his 
subsequent  life,  when  he  became  to  such  a  remark- 
able extent  the  consoler  and  comforter  of  others. 
....  I  believe  he  was  constantly  advancing  in  spir- 
ituality and  in  fitness  for  the  office  to  which  he 
seems  to  have  regarded  himself  as  set  apart  from 
his  childhood  and  which  he  so  eminently  adorned  in 
his  subsequent  career." 

At  this  time,  the  spring  of  1836,  Mr.  Dickson's 
father  was  contemplating  a  trip  to  the  far  west,  as  it 
was  then  called.  It  was  to  extend  to  the  Mississ- 
ippi River,  and  the  thought  was  suggested  to  the 
invalid  student  that  such  a  trip  would  be  of  use  to 
him,  and  perhaps  restore  his  broken  health.  The 
matter  was  mentioned  to  Dr.  Brown,  who  made  in- 
quiry first  of  the  student  himself  and  found  that  his 
sleep  was  interrupted  almost  to  insomnia,  that  he 
was  oppressed  with  languor,  and,  while  diligent  in 
study  as  ever,  was  slowly  breaking  down  from  some 
cause.  On  consulting  with  the  other  Professors  it 
was  judged  that  the  last  session  of  the  Junior  class 
might  be  intermitted  without  falling  behind,  and 
then,  if  health  would  allow,  go  on  with  his  class  in 
the  fall  as  a  regular  senior.  This  conclusion  was 
made  known  to  Mr.  Dickson,  the  father,  with  the 
advice  that  the  young  man  should  accompany  him 
on  his  western  tour. 


The  Student.  ^§ 


This  was  agreed  upon  and  preparations  were 
made  for  the  journey.  It  was  to  be  made  on  horse- 
back ;  the  distance  was  more  than  a  thousand  miles 
and  would  require  more  than  a  month  to  complete 
it.  At  the  beginning  of  the  April  vacation  the  jour- 
ney from  Canonsburgh  was  commenced,  a  horse 
being  purchased  for  the  purpose.  Father  and  son 
met  at  Girard,  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  went 
westward  together.  A  leaf  from  the  father's  Note 
Book  informs  us  of  the  route  taken  and  of  the  prog- 
ress made.  It  will  be  interesting  as  showing  the 
manner  of  travel  and  the  wildness  of  the  country 
at  that  time  in  contrast  with  the  improved  means 
of  travel  and  the  greatness  of  the  country  at  the 
present. 

Extract  from  Narrative  of 
William  Dickson. 

''In  April  1836  we  left  home  for  the  western  coun- 
try ;  traveled  up  Lake  Erie  to  Perrysburg,  up  the 
Maumee  river  to  Fort  Wayne,  then  down  the  Wabash 
river,  passing  through  the  towns  of  Huntingdon 
and  Logansport,  over  the  Tippecanoe  battleground, 
following  the  River  to  Lafayette,  a  beautiful  town, 
then  to  Shawnee  Prairie,  some  distance  below. 
My  son  Cyrus  had  traveled  with  me  from  Erie 
county,  and  at  Huntingdon  we  fell  in  with  William 
C.  Dickson,  my  cousin  from  Cherry  Valley,  Otsego 
county.  New  York.  At  the  Shawnee  Prairie  we 
stopped  a  few  days  to  survey  some  lands  belonging 
to  a  company  in  New  York,  then  proceeded  down 
the  river  to  Williamsport,  crossed  over  into  Illinois, 


^6  Memorial. 


and  came  to  Danville.     We  reached  it  on  Saturday, 
and  remained  over  the  Sabbath.     On  Monday,  after 
dinner,  we  started  and  traveled  twenty  miles  to  a 
cabin  far  away  on  the  prairie,  and  from  there  it  was 
twenty  miles  to  the  Kickapoo  River,  without  house 
or  tree.    At  the  old  Indian  town  lived  a  Frenchman 
who  gave  us  our  breakfast,  and  corn  for  our  horses, 
by  paying  him  well.      There  was  a  little    timber 
on    the  bank  of  the  river,  then  neither  house  nor 
timber  for  twenty  miles  more.     We  put  up  at  the 
first   house  and  fared  well ;   that  was  a  few  miles 
from  Bloomington,  and  in  the  neighborhood  where 
Luke  Hardy  settled  and  died — he  moved  from  Har- 
bour Creek.     Next  morning  we  started  for  Ottawa, 
where  we  arrived  that  night,  after  travelling  forty 
miles.       On  leaving  Ottawa  we  went  up  the  Fox 
river   to    John    Green's  mills ;    he   put    us    on    an 
Indian  trail  which  he  said  would  take  us  to  Prince- 
town.     We  traveled  very  hard,  crossing  the  heads 
of     several    streams    running     into     the     Illinois 
river.     One  was  called    the  Tomahawk ;    in  cross- 
ing  it   my  son's  horse  mired,   threw  him  off   and 
nearly  buried  him  in  the  mud.     Every  bad  slough 
we  came   to   after  that  we  thought  of    the  Toma- 
hawk.    About  sundown  we  reached  a  high  ridge, 
on  which  the  town  of   Dover  is  now  located,  from 
which    we   thought  we  could  see  Princetown ;   we 
pressed  on,  but  it  became  dark.     We  lost  the  path 
and    wandered  on  the  prairie  until  it  was  late  at 
night,  when  we  saw  a  light  and  made  our  way  to  it. 
A  woman  had  been  up  attending  to  a  sick  child. 


The  Student.  57 


and  had  a  light,  which  was  fortunate  for  us,  for  we 
were  then  three  miles  north  of  Princetown.  The 
next  day  we  traveled  forty-five  miles  ;  saw  but  one 
man ;  his  name  was  Thomas  and  he  lived  near  the 
Big  Bureau  river.  He  had  been  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war,  and  told  us  about  Stillman's  defeat. 
That  night  we  got  to  a  cabin  at  the  east  end  of 
the  Red  Oak  Grove.  The  woman  said  she  had 
once  lived  in  North  East,  and  that  her  father's 
name  was  Evelith.  I  knew  him  well.  The  next 
day  we  reached  Rock  River,  and  forded  the  slough 
— it  was  high — to  Vanroof's  (Van  Der  Hoof's) 
Island ;  we  ferried  the  main  river  and  got  to  Wills' 
before  sundown.  My  object  in  coming  to  this  place 
was  to  purchase,  if  possible,  the  land  on  which  the 
Black  Hawk  town  had  formerly  stood.  .  .  .  We 
remained  in  the  neighborhood  a  few  days  and  then 
went  to  Galena ;  then  to  Chicago,  where  we  met 
Hiram  Norcross.  My  son  sold  his  horse  to  him 
and  took  a  steamboat  to  Erie." 

The  trip  was  safely  made  and  in  due  time  we 
find  the  student  at  Canonsburgh  once  more,  in  all 
the  new  dignity  of  a  senior,  and,  what  was  far  better, 
with  new  health  and  vigor.  The  tour  over  the 
prairies,  as  his  father  expressed  it,  "constantly  read- 
ing from  the  book  of  nature,"  did  even  more  than 
was  expected.  He  was  bronzed  by  his  constant  ex- 
posure to  the  sun  and  wind,  his  muscles  were  hard- 
ened by  exercise,  and  his  digestive  powers  renewed, 
so  that  he  was  prepared  to  go  on  with  the  studies 
of  the  year  with  vigor,  and  make  up  all  that  he  had 


^8  Memoi'ial. 


lost  by  his  absence  the  preceding  session.  The 
months  passed,  the  spring  vacation  came,  then  the 
summer  arrived  and  the  time  of  graduation  was 
seen  in  the  distance.  The  Senior  vacation  came, 
speeches  were  conned  over  that  were  to  grace  the 
Commencement,  and  all  was  expectation  in  the 
class.  It  was  composed  of  thirty-nine  young  men, 
drawn  from  very  many  States  of  the  Union,  and  rep- 
resenting many  grades  of  talent,  and  designed  for 
many  of  the  active  walks  of  life.  Of  these  thirty- 
nine  young  men  who  stood  together  to  receive 
their  diplomas  from  the  venerable  President  more 
than  one  third  have  already  passed  away  from  the 
scenes  of  this  world,  and  many  others  are  still  in 
the  front  of  the  strife  doing  their  work. 

The  auspicious  day  came  at  length.  There 
were  the  great  congregation  ;  the  blare  of  trump- 
ets ;  the  speaking  of  the  class  ;  the  applause ; 
the  conferring  of  degrees  ;  the  leave-taking  ;  then 
the  class  of  1837  dispersed  to  meet  no  more  upon 
earth.  They  went  out  to  act  their  brief  part  and 
win  or  lose  as  best  they  might,  and  of  the  result 
the  ages  will  bear  their  solemn  testimony. 

The  following  brief  extract  from  the  class  history, 
delivered  in  1867,  by  Rev.  J.  T.  Smith,  D.  D., 
sketches  the  student  as  he  was  known  in  the  streets 
of  Canonsburgh  and  in  the  Halls  of  Jefferson  Col- 
lege ; 

*'How  distinctly  the  Cy.  Dickson  of  that  day 
stands  out  before  us  !  His  square,  short  form,  and 
round,  ruddy  face,  and  sandy  locks, — his  irrepressi- 


The  Student.  §g 


ble  vivacity  and  ready  wit,  and  quickness  at  repar- 
tee— his  universal  information  and  readiness  to 
adapt  himself  to  circumstances  and  exigencies  as 
they  arose — his  power  of  impressing  others  into 
his  service,  and  above  all  his  marvellous  faculty  of 
discerning  analogies  where  no  mortal  beside  had 
dreamed  of  their  existence." 

Home  again  for  a  short  time  and  then  work. 
There  was  no  time  in  which  to  indulge  in  dreams, 
or  wait  for  the  rise  of  the  tide  to  carry  him  for- 
ward. A  select  school  was  taken  in  Girard,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  duties  of  which  commenced  in  Novem- 
ber, 1837,  one  short  month  after  his  graduation. 
Here  he  continued  through  the  winter,  and  in  the 
month  of  April  following  accepted  a  situation  in 
the  classical  school  of  the  Messrs.  Hammill,  in  Law- 
renceville.  New  Jersey.  Here  the  teaching  and  the 
study  of  Theology  and  Ecclesiastical  History  were 
carried  forward  together.  At  the  same  time  he  at- 
tended lectures  at  Princeton.  This  was  a  busy  year. 
In  the  month  of  September  he  returned  to  Erie 
county  and  was  received  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbytery,  as  a  candidate  for  the  Gospel  ministry. 
At  the  advice  of  friends  in  whom  he  had  confidence 
he  had  entered  upon  the  study  of  his  profession 
very  soon  after  taking  his  degree  at  Jefferson  Col- 
lege. Even  at  Girard,  amid  the  perplexities  of  the 
school,  he  was  using  his  spare  time  and  some  that 
was  redeemed  from  the  hours  of  relaxation  in  con- 
ning over  the  books  that  pertained  to  his  trial 
studies  before  the   Presbytery.     And  now  that  he 


6o  Memorial. 


was  approaching  the  close  of  his  probation,  and  the 
great  matter  of  preaching  was  beginning  to  fill  his 
mind,  these  studies  were  pursued  with  greater  dili- 
gence than  ever.  In  addition  to  this,  the  trial  ex- 
ercises assigned  him  by  Presbytery  occupied  his 
mind  and  pressed  upon  his  time. 

The  following  letter  to  his  father  is  the  last  that 
is  before  us  during  his  student  life  : 

Lawrenceville,  N.  J.,  May  23,  1838. 
:  "  By  the  date  you  will  perceive  that  I  have 


left  my  native  state  and  am  now  in  a  land  of  stran- 
gers. 

I  left  North-East  April  i6th,  and  came  by  way 
of  Buffalo,  Albany,  and  New  York.  I  am  an  assist- 
ant teacher  in  the  Lawrenceville  High  School.  Mr. 
S.  M.  Hammill  and  his  brother  are  the  Principals. 
I  teach  Latin,  Greek  and  Mathematics. 

I  am  studying  Hebrew  and  Church  History." 

September,  1838, 
:  ''I  teach  six  hours  each  day  and  study  eight." 


III.    THE  COMMISSION. 


^^ Blessings  may  appear  under  the  shape  of  paijis, 
losses  and  disappointinents,  but  let  Jiim  have  patience, 
and  he  will  see  them  in  their  proper  Jignre.'' 

*  Addison. 

'*  Whereof  I  was  made  a  minister  according  to  the 
gift  of  the  grace  of  God  given  iinto  me  by  the  effect- 
ual working  of  his  power  ^ 

Eph.  III.  7. 


III.  THE  COMMISSION. 

The  chrysalis  is  an  important  part  of  the  life  ex- 
perience of  the  butterfly.  The  quiet  preparation 
while  yet  hidden  away  from  the  active  business 
world  is  a  fitting  stage  of  insect  progress.  Yet  the 
time  comes  when  the  shell  is  burst  asunder,  and 
the  active,  real  business  and  enjoyment  of  life  com- 
mences. The  mature  butterfly  is  abroad  in  its  beau- 
ty and  the  world  is  before  it,  and  is  more  beautiful 
for  its  presence.  And  to  our  student  the  time  had 
arrived  when  he  must  leave  his  chrysalis  condition, 
and  take  part  in  the  active  scenes  of  life.  The 
waiting  and  the  hope  were  to  give  place  to  active 
duty  and  the  responsible  work  of  an  evangelist. 

His  student  life  was  not  to  terminate.  That  was 
to  go  forward  with  more  diligence  than  ever.  It 
was  to  continue  through  all  his  life  on  earth  ;  it  was 
to  be  carried  forward  in  heaven,  seated  at  the  feet 
of  the  Great  Teacher,  where  lessons  of  wisdom  and 
love  and  beauty  will  be  full  of  attraction  throughout 
all  eternity. 

But  the  time  of  probation  was  drawing  to  a  close. 
The  Home,  the  Academy,  the  College,  the  Theolo- 
gical training  had  done  their  work,  as  far  as  simple 
preparation  was  concerned,  and  the  student  was  to 
be  commissioned  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  to  ''feed 
the  Church  of  God,  which  he  hath  purchased  with 


64  Memorial. 


His  own  blood."     Was  it  strange  then  that  he  was 
full  of  excitement  with  the  thought  ?    Was  it  strange 
that  the  young  man,  not  yet  twenty  three  years  of 
age,  should  almost  shrink  from  undertaking  the  work 
that  seemed  so  full  of  grave  responsibilities  ?    Here 
had  been  the  labor  and  the  waiting  of  the  years  of 
his  early  youth — what  would  be  the  result  ?     The 
memories  of  the  past  crowded  upon  him  ;  the  moth- 
er's talks  by  the  evening  fireside  ;  the  half  articula- 
ted prayers  by  the  side  of  his  bed  when  yet  but  a 
child  ;  the  father's  anxieties  ;  his  own  early  vows  of 
consecration  and  resolutions  for  the  service  of  God 
and  the  welfare  of  the  souls  of  men  clustered  around 
him,  and  thronged  his  memory.    What  would  be  the 
result  ?     Here  was  his  health  somewhat  shattered 
by  close  application  to  study ;  he  had  had  no  expe- 
rience in  the  way  of  public  speaking ;  he  knew  not 
that  he  could  so  commend  himself  to  the  people  as 
to  gain  their  ear  successfully,  or  impress  them  favor- 
ably.    Here  was  the  discouraging  view  of  the  case. 
But  there  was  another  side  to  the  situation.    The 
cloud  that  is  so  dark  and  murky  on  our  side  of  the 
view,  may  be  all  beautiful  and  golden  from  the  sun 
side,  and  by  the  eye  of  faith  we  may  always  see 
the  sun-lighted  side.     And  to  the  young  man  with 
all  these  sensitive  feelings  and  weighty  responsibil- 
ities pressing  upon  him,  there  was  the  sunward  view 
of  what  else  had  been  but  a  dark  and  mysterious 
cloud.     He  had  these  aids  to  faith  :  he  had  been 
wonderfully  prospered  in  his  early  preparation.     He 
had  overcome  difficulties  that  seemed  like  moun- 


The  Co7mniss2on,  6^ 


tains  in  his  way,  and  had  graduated  with  honor  at  an 
age  much  younger  than  was  then  common  with  stu- 
dents. The  way  had  been  opened  up  for  teaching 
and  farther  study.  God  had  gone  before  him  and 
had  been  his  guide  thus  far,  and  he  felt  that  for  the 
days  to  come  he  could  rely  upon  His  aid,  and  he 
looked  forward  with  a  cheerful  heart. 

And  so  the  trials  for  licensure  commenced.  The 
young  man  sought  the  old  Erie  Presbytery,  in  whose 
bounds  he  had  been  born  and  reared,  and  the 
thoughts  of  whose  ministers  and  churches  were  con- 
secrated in  his  mind  by  the  sweetest  and  most  en- 
during memories.  On  the  fifteenth  day  of  October, 
1838,  he  was  taken  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Erie,  as  a  candidate  for  the  Gospel  ministry.  He 
was  at  that  time  a  member  of  the  church  at  Law- 
renceville.  New  Jersey,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching.  This  fact  shows  the  conscientious  feeling 
of  the  man,  in  transferring  his  church  membership 
from  place  to  place  wherever  he  sojourned,  even  for 
a  time.  He  had  most  probably  transferred  his 
membership  from  North  East,  where  his  father  was 
an  elder,  to  the  college  church  at  Canonsburgh,  un- 
der the  pastoral  care  of  Dr.  Brown,  and  thence  to 
Lawrenceville,  that  he  might  always  feel  that  the 
responsibilities  of  actual  church  membership  were 
upon  him.  Like  Abraham  of  the  olden  time  wher- 
ever he  pitched  his  tent  there  he  builded  his  altar 
so  that  he  might  always  be  ready  for  the  sacrifice. 

At  the  same  meeting  of  Presbytery,  that  was  held 
at  Mercer,  Pennsylvania,  he  was  examined  in  all  the 


66  Memorial. 


studies  of  his  college  course,  also  read  a  Latin  ex- 
egesis on  the  theme:  "An  Dei  Providentia  omnia 
respicit?";  also  a  critical  exercise  on  the  twenty 
third  Psalm,  and  a  Popular  Lecture  on  The  Epistle 
to  the  Romans,  third  chapter,  and  from  the  twentieth 
to  the  twenty  sixth  verses  inclusive.  These  were 
all  sustained  as  parts  of  trials  for  licensure. 

Back  to  his  teaching  once  more,  waiting  until  the 
appointed  time,  studying,  looking  out  upon  the  field 
and  wondering  to  what  part  of  the  great  world  the 
Lord  would  assign  him,  the  young  man  passed  the 
twelve  months  of  the  probation  that  yet  remained. 
The  time  did  not  seem  long,  for  there  were  the  great 
volumes  of  Theology  to  be  read,  Dick,  and  Hill,  and 
Ridgeley,  with  many  a  glance  into  the  classic  pages 
of  old  Turretine.  There  was  also  the  wonderful 
History  of  the  Church  of  God  as  recorded  by  Eu- 
sebius  and  Milner  and  Mosheim,  to  be  read  and 
thought  and  prayed  over,  in  order  to  his  thorough 
furnishing  for  the  work. 

In  the  meantime  there  was  the  work  in  the  Sab- 
bath school,  the  study  of  the  child  mind,  in  which 
he  afterwards  became  such  an  adept  in  knowledge ; 
the  going  out  into  the  country  to  assist  in  prayer 
meetings  ;  the  talks  to  the  people  about  Jesus,  the 
Saviour  of  sinners  ;  the  exhortation  of  the  people 
to  the  new  and  desirable  life ;  all  these  things 
served  to  deepen  his  own  convictions  of  duty  and 
to  fit  him  for  the  coming  work. 

And  there  was  this  slight  ground  of  discourage- 
ment as  the  time  drew  near  for  his  licensure  :  he 


The  Commission.  6j 


had  spent  nearly  all  his  spare  time  during  the  win- 
ter in  the  preparation  of  his  sermon  as  the  remain- 
ing portion  of  trials  for  licensure,  before  the  Presby- 
tery. Yet  it  did  not  seem  to  be  very  much  of  a  ser- 
mon, and  the  thought  came  into  his  mind  as  to  how 
he  could  possibly  prepare  two  sermons  each  week 
after  he  should  have  entered  upon  the  work.  But 
the  spirit  of  hopefulness,  that  was  so  large  an  ele- 
ment in  his  nature,  took  the  place  of  despondency, 
and  he  went  on  with  his  studies  hoping  that  time 
and  faith  and  energy  would  overcome  all  these 
difficulties.  And  the  trial  sermon  was  conned  over, 
and  the  young  homilist  wondering  what  the  Fathers 
and  Brethren  of  the  Presbytery  would  think  of   it. 

The  time  of  the  trial  came  at  last.  The  Presby- 
tery met  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  October,  1839,  in 
the  Neshannock  church,  in  Mercer  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. All  that  day  the  candidate  for  holy  or- 
ders sat  waiting,  and  listening  to  the  details  of 
business  connected  with  the  welfare  of  the  churches. 
But  the  sermon  could  wait.  The  ministers  and  el- 
ders were  full  of  other  matters.  It  was  decided  to 
hear  the  sermon  in  the  evening  ;  the  text  assigned 
was  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  the  Acts  of  the 
Apostles  and  thirtieth  verse  :  "What  must  I  do  to 
be  saved  V 

Ludicrous  things  will  happen  under  circumstances 
of  solemnity  and  responsibility.  The  Presbytery 
had  met  in  a  country  church,  where  there  were  no 
facilities  of  light  for  evening  meetings,  and  it  had 
been  arranged  to  have  the  evening  service  at  the 


68  Memorial. 


house  of  one  of  the  elders  of  the  church,  William 
Mc  Millan,  son  of  Dr.  Mc  Millan  of  Chartiers.  At 
this  evening  meeting  Mr.  Dickson  was  to  preach 
his  trial  sermon  for  licensure  and  his  friend,  Mr. 
Reynolds,  his  sermon  preparatory  to  ordination. 
The  young  men  were  to  read  their  discourses.  The 
table  was  a  simple,  slender,  three-legged  affair,  on 
which  was  placed  the  old  family  Bible,  containing 
the  record  of  the  births  and  deaths  of  the  family 
for  two  or  three  generations,  and  by  its  side  a  single 
tallow  candle,  moulded  by  the  deft  hands  of  the 
good  mother  of  the  household,  for  the  meeting  was 
arranged  at  "early  candle  lighting,"  as  the  phrase 
then  went.  The  elder  was  notified  that  something 
a  little  higher  than  this  table  would  be  necessary  to 
accommodate  the  young  men.  The  half  bushel  was 
brought  in  from  the  barn,  and  the  table  placed  on 
the  top  of  this,  and  all  was  in  readiness. 

As  the  good  elder  passed  where  the  young  Theo- 
logians sat,  trembling  somewhat  in  the  prospect  of 
the  coming  trials,  he  whispered  to  them  so  as  to 
be  audible  to  those  sitting  near :  "■  Now  boys,  I 
do  not  want  any  unnecessary  clawing  around  that 
table,  for  if  there  is,  the  whole  rig  will  go  tumbling 
head  over  heels."  The  young  men  made  a  mental 
note  of  the  condition  of  the  extemporized  pulpit, 
and  were  on  their  guard  ;  but  the  ludicrousness  of 
the  arrangement  coupled  with  the  elder's  remark 
would  force  themselves  upon  them  during  the  pro- 
gress of  the  discourses. 

On  the  following  day  Mr.  Dickson  was  examined 


The  Commission.  6g 

in  Theology,  Ecclesiastical  History,  Church  Gov- 
ernment, and  the  Sacraments.  These  examinations 
and  parts  of  trials  having  been  all  sustained  he  was 
licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  in  due 
form,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  October,  1839. 

The  work  of  preaching  now  commenced.  The 
first  Sabbath  was  given  to  the  pulpit  of  his  old 
friend  and  father's  friend,  Rev.  Johnston  Eaton  of 
the  Fairview  church,  who  was  associated  with  his 
earliest  recollections  of  Gospel  preaching,  and  whom 
he  had  often  tried  to  imitate  in  the  days  of  his  boy 
preaching  in  the  plays  of  the  school. 

Then  came  the  question  :  Whither  does  the  Lord 
call  .'*  In  what  part  of  the  field  am  I  to  glean, 
and  bring  in  the  sheaves  .-*  But  to  the  earnest,  in- 
quiring heart,  seeking  work  from  the  Lord,  the  an- 
swer is  not  long  delayed.  And  so  it  proved  in  this 
case.  The  door  was  opened ;  the  way  was  made 
plain,  and  the  work  was  well  received  and  bounti- 
fully rewarded. 


IV.    PASTORAL  LIFE  IN  FRANKLIN. 


^^ Blessed  is  he  who  has  foinid  his  work;  let  him 
ask  no  other  blessedness.  He  has  a  woi^k,  a  life-pur- 
pose ;  he  has  found  it  and  will  follozv  it." 

Carlyle. 

^'Iji  the  mornijig  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening 
withhold  not  thy  hand ;  for  thou  know  est  not  whether 
shall  prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or  ivhetJier  they  shall 
both  be  alike  good," 

EccL.  XII.  6. 


IV.      PASTORAL  LIFE  IN  FRANKLIN. 


The  work  had  now  commenced.  A  Sabbath  at 
the  old  home  church  at  North-East ;  looking  about 
the  country  where  he  had  passed  his  first  days  and 
had  received  his  first  impressions  of  life ;  talking 
with  his  old  neighbors  ;  a  visit  to  the  Lake  to  listen 
to  the  dash  of  its  waves  and  look  out  on  its  bound- 
less prospect,  and  the  solemn  activities  of  the  min- 
isterial life  must  commence.  The  world  was  all 
before  him,  but  he  waited  for  the  particular  direc- 
tion and  voice  of  Providence.  There  were  some 
strong  attractions  that  drew  him  westward  ;  his  fath- 
er had  his  home  there,  and  to  him  and  other  members 
of  the  family  he  was  very  strongly  attached.  There 
were  earnest  calls  to  labor  in  heathen  lands,  and  the 
feeling  was  to  go  just  where  God  should  open  the 
way. 

Just  at  this  time  he  was  sent  by  the  Presbytery 
as  a  supply  to  the  church  of  Franklin,  in  Venango 
county,  Pennsylvania,  that  was  to  be  the  scene  of 
his  first  pastoral  labor.  With  no  definite  idea  of 
settlement,  but  simply  following  the  pillar  of  cloud 
that  the  eye  of  faith  discovered  in  the  distance,  the 
young  man  accepted  the  invitation  and  turned  his 
face  toward  Franklin.  The  distance  was  more  than 
an  hundred  miles  and  the  journey  must  be  made  on 


7^  Memorial. 


horseback.  It  was  in  the  month  of  December  and 
the  air  was  crisp,  with  traces  of  snow  in  the  clouds, 
but  this  was  the  beginning  of  the  work,  and  he  set 
forward  with  courage  and  resolution.  The  first 
night  was  spent  with  his  friend,  Mr.  Reynolds  of 
Meadville,  where  long  talks  were  had  about  the  old 
college  days,  and  the  friends  of  the  past ;  with  occa- 
sional reference  to  the  days  to  come,  so  full  of  hope 
and  expectation. 

On  the  next  afternoon  he  started  on  his  way  to 
Franklin.  The  snow  had  fallen  during  the  night ; 
the  road  was  rough  and  progress  slow.  The  mus- 
cles of  the  young  man  had  not  yet  become  harden- 
ed by  exercise,  as  they  became  after  the  years  of 
missionary  life  that  followed,  and  night  began  to 
fall  before  he  had  reached  his  destination.  He 
stopped  with  a  good  Presbyterian  elder  who  lived 
within  six  miles  of  Franklin,  and  in  the  morning 
went  with  his  host  who  was  going  to  town  with  a 
load  of  pork.  The  pork  is  loaded  on  a  sleigh.  The 
young  minister  ties  his  horse  to  the  back  of  the 
sleigh  and  takes  his  seat  with  the  driver  and  makes 
his  advent  to  the  scene  of  his  future  labors  perched 
upon  a  load  of  dressed  pigs. 

But  he  finds  a  warm  reception  and  a  welcome 
home  with  the  old  elder,  who  was  the  first  to  re- 
ceive him  and  who  was  his  friend  and  patron  from 
that  day  to  the  day  of  his  death.  He  looked 
around  ;  the  prospect  was  not  flattering.  The  pub- 
lic improvements  were  not  good  ;  the  town  evident- 
ly was  not  growing  ;  the  church  could  not  enlarge 


Pastoral  Life  m  Franklin.  75 

very  much  with  this  population  ;  the  way  did  not 
point  to  success.  There  might  be  the  sowing  but 
what  hope  was  there  for  the  harvest  ? 

These  were  questions  that  ran  through  the  mind  of 
the  young  man  as  he  looked  out  on  the  park  that 
fronted  Mr.  Bowman's  house,  and  that  were  deepen- 
ed as  he  walked  up  Liberty  Street  and  along  Thir- 
teenth, as  it  is  now  called,  with  his  friend  and  host. 
But  as  was  his  custom  he  did  not  allow  himself  to 
be  troubled  with  the  appearance  of  things,  but  left 
all  to  be  developed  by  a  wiser  head  and  a  stronger 
hand  than  his  own.  And  the  face  was  cheerful 
that  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Dodd,  the  other  elder, 
as  he  called  in  the  evening  and  the  voice  was  un- 
ruffled by  a  tremor,  as  the  situation  was  discussed. 

Franklin  was  at  that  time  a  really  small  town,  al- 
though a  county  seat.  It  was  an  old  town,  found- 
ed on  the  sites  of  four  successive  military  works. 
The  French  had  builded  Fort  Machault  in  1753  ; 
the  English  had  followed  this  by  building  Fort  Ve- 
nango in  1760;  in  1787  the  United  States  had 
builded  Fort  Franklin,  followed  by  the  Garrison  in 
1796.  The  town  had  been  laid  out  in  1795,  but  its 
progress  had  been  slow.  The  census  returns 
in  the  following  year,  1840,  showed  a  population 
of  only  five  hundred  and  ninety-five.  Everything 
was  quiet  and  the  prospect  poor  for  building  up  a 
church.  But  God's  people  were  here  and  they  had 
been  praying  and  there  was  hope.  The  church  had 
been  organized  in  18 17,  but  had  had  no  pastor  until 
1826,  when  Rev.   Thomas  Anderson  took    charge, 


'j6  Me^norial. 


continuing  the  pastorate  until  1837.  It  had  now 
been  vacant  two  years.  The  church  edifice  was  an 
old  fashioned  affair,  with  nothing  of  architectural 
display,  within  or  without,  to  recommend  it.  The 
eye  was  offended  by  the  bareness  of  its  outlines 
and  the  ear  pained  by  its  unfortunate  accoustic 
properties,  The  auditorium  had  galleries  running 
around  three  sides,  the  one  opposite  the  pulpit  be- 
ing used  by  the  choir.  The  pulpit  itself  was  small 
but  lofty  and  afterwards  draped  with  a  liberal  sup- 
ply of  red  moreen. 

There  were  no  public  improvements  about  the 
place.  For  about  a  month,  spring  and  autumn, 
steamboats  plied  between  the  town  and  Pittsburgh, 
while  the  water  in  the  Allegheny  was  at  its  height, 
affording  the  means  of  travel.  At  other  times  the 
old  lumbering  coach  was  the  only  public  convey- 
ance, bringing  the  mail  tri-weekly,  and  affording 
the  means  of  communication  with  the  outside 
world.  Untold  wealth  was  slumbering  underneath 
the  hills  that  kept  guard  around,  but  it  was  so  far 
a  sealed  book,  and  the  time  was  not  yet. 

The  church  of  Franklin  was  too  weak  to  support 
a  pastor  the  whole  of  his  time,  and  the  arrange- 
ment had  been  hitherto,  to  unite  with  Sugar  Creek, 
a  church  in  the  country,  about  seven  miles  distant. 
This  had  been  the  case  under  Mr.  Anderson's  pas- 
torate. It  was  proposed  to  continue  it  under  any 
new  pastor  who  should  be  called.  The  first  Sab- 
bath was  spent  in  town,  and  the  following  at  Sugar 
Creek.     The  minister  was  invited  to  spend  other 


Pastoral  Life  in  Frankli?t.  77 

Sabbaths.  He  continued  to  preach  for  several  suc- 
cessive Sabbaths,  with  no  well  formed  notions  in 
his  own  mind  as  to  final  results,  until  a  talk  was 
had  among  the  people  of  making  out  a  call  for  his 
settlement.  The  matter  was  mentioned  to  the 
minister,  who  had  been  debating  the  question  in 
his  own  mind,  until  he  felt  half  inclined  to  encour- 
age them  in  their  hopes. 

There  were  other  reasons  that  perhaps  influenced 
his  feelings  and  helped  him  in  making  up  his  mind 
to  settle.  Whilst  visiting  in  Girard,  Pennsylvania, 
he  had  formed  an  attachment  that  was  to  continue 
for  life  :  and,  yielding  to  the  solicitations  of  the 
people  to  become  their  pastor,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Delia  Eliza  Mc  Connell,  daughter 
of-  Thomas  and  Margaret  Mc  Connell,  on  the  twen- 
tieth day  of  January,  1840.  The  young  couple 
found  a  home  for  a  time  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Bow- 
man, to  whom  they  were  ever  most  tenderly  attach- 
ed. And  when  eventually  they  builded  a  home  for 
themselves,  it  was  very  near  that  of  their  early  pa- 
trons, and  they  were  indebted  to  them  for  advice 
and  counsel  in  many  an  emergency. 

On  the  twenty-first  day  of  April,  1840,  at  a  regu- 
lar meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Erie,  calls  were 
presented  for  the  pastoral  labors  of  Mr.  Dickson 
from  the  congregations  of  Franklin  and  Sugar 
Creek,  dividing  his  time  between  them  equally. 
These  calls  were  placed  in  his  hand,  and  being  ac- 
cepted by  him,  arrangements  were  made  for  his  or- 
dination and  installation.     The   text  assigned   Mr. 


y8  Memo7daL 


Dickson  as  trial  for  ordination  was  from  the  Gospel 
by  John,  first  chapter  and  twenty-ninth  verse  :  "Be- 
hold the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world." 

In  accordance  with  this  arrangement,  Presbytery 
met  at  Franklin  on  the  twenty-third  day  of  June 
1840,  when  the  trial  sermon  was  preached.  On 
the  following  day  the  solemn  services  of  ordination 
and  installation  took  place,  in  the  presence  of  the 
congregation.  Rev.  Samuel  Tait  of  Mercer  presid- 
ed, proposed  the  constitutional  questions  and  offer- 
ed the  ordaining  prayer ;  Rev.  Johnston  Eaton,  of 
Fairview,  preached  the  sermon  ;  Rev.  Absalom 
M'Cready  of  Neshannock  delivered  the  charge  to 
the  pastor,  and  Rev.  James  G.  Wilson  of  Green- 
ville delivered  the  charge  to  the  people.  And  as 
the  people  came  forward  at  the  tlose  of  the  services 
to  bid  the  young  pastor  welcome,  and  looked  into 
his  fresh,  young  face,  and  saw  the  warmth  of  feel- 
ing in,  his  deep  blue  eye,  and  felt  the  warm  grasp 
of  his  hand,  they  knew  that  there  was  a  warm  heart 
behind  the  blue  eye  and  the  fervent  grip  of  the 
hand.  And  to  the  pastor  there  was  the  same  as- 
surance as  he  looked  into  the  eyes  of  the  people. 
He  knew  that  he  was  welcome,  and  that  they  had 
taken  him  home  to  their  hearts,  and  would  stand  by 
him  in  the  work  that  he  had  that  day  undertaken. 

And  now  the  work  commenced  in  earnest.  The 
scattered  sheep  must  be  gathered  up  in  town,  and 
looked  after  every  day.  Every  alternate  Sabbath 
must  be  given  to  Sugar  Creek.     Saturday  and  Mon- 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin.  yg 

day  connected  with  that  day  must  be  devoted  to  hunt- 
ing up  the  people  in  the  country,  spending  the  in- 
tervening nights  in  their  dwellings  and  sharing  their 
generous  hospitality.  In  this  way  the  older  members 
of  the  congregation  were  strengthened  and  comfort- 
ed and  many  of  those  counted  as  without  the  fold 
induced  to  come  in  and  hear  the  word,  and  become 
partakers  of  its  blessings.  The  frankness  and  in- 
nate kindness  of  the  man  had  a  decided  influence 
in  disarming  the  prejudices  of  many  who  had  pre- 
viously neglected  the  means  of  grace.  He  would 
go  to  them  as  they  worked  in  the  fields,  as  they 
sat  by  the  door  in  the  warm  summer  evenings  and 
talk  with  them  so  freely  and  so  naturally  that  they 
saw  that  the  religion  of  the  man  was  not  assumed 
for  a  purpose,  and  they  were  attracted  to  the 
preacher  and  then  to  his  church,  and  were  gradual- 
ly brought  within  the  sphere  of  good  influences. 

In  town  his  influence  soon  began  to  be  felt. 
With  the  help  of  the  two  elders  who  resided  in 
town  he  soon  became  acquainted  with  all  the 
members  of  the  church,  and  the  adherents  of  the 
congregation.  Then  he  looked  up  another  class, 
those  who  had  no  particular  affinities  for  any  church. 
These  he  looked  after  and  invited  to  come  to  his 
church,  and  send  their  children  to  the  Sabbath 
School.  In  this  way  the  children  were  secured  and 
then  the  parents  gradually  began  to  go  to  the  church 
until  the  minister's  influence  was  felt  in  many  new 
directions.  Many  of  these  people  eventually  became 
members  of    the  church,  and  were  of  value  to  it. 


8o  Memorial. 


After  settling  down  to  work,  and  taking  the 
bearings  of  the  congregation  a  roll  was  formed  of 
the  members  of  the  church.  The  new  Pastor 
could  discover  neither  minutes  of  the  session,  nor 
roll.  It  was  as  though  the  work  was  beginning 
from  a  new  point ;  or  as  he  described  it :  "  com- 
mencing the  church  de  novo."  As  far  as  the  past 
was  concerned,  everything  was  a  blank  save  the 
church  edifice  and  the  elders,  and  the  few  faithful 
believers  who  had  kept  the  prayer  meeting  alive, 
and  interested  themselves  in  the  Sabbath  School. 

The  new  roll  consisted  of  forty  one  members 
with  three  ruling  elders,  one  of  whom  lived  in  the 
country.  The  first  couple  married  were  Samuel  F. 
Dale  and  Eliza  M'Clelland  ;  The  first  child  baptized 
was  William  John  Lamberton.  The  first  meeting 
of  the  session  was  held  on  the  thirtieth  of  August, 
1840,  and  the  first  member  received  into  the  church 
was  Charles  L.  Cochran. 

But  the  work  required  strong  faith,  and  none  but 
a  brave  heart,  full  of  faith  in  the  promises  of  God, 
could  have  labored  on  as  this  heroic  young  man  did 
in  the  midst  of  such  great  discouragements.  The 
town  had  already  been  in  existence  nearly  half  a  cen- 
tury and  was  still  struggling.  The  country  around 
was  poor  and  few  persons  coming  in  to  settle.  Low 
as  the  salary  was  there  was  not  even  the  promise  or 
hope  of  cash  payment.  Trade  was  the  usual  me- 
dium of  settlenjent,  and  there  was  not  much  in  the 
future  to  inspire  hope  that  matters  would  ever  be 
very  much  better.     And  all  this  time  the  minister 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin.  8i 

felt  within  him  the  possibilities  of  a  higher  position 
in  life  and  a  wider  sphere  of  usefulness.  Still 
just  then  the  work  was  in  Franklin  and  he  was  con- 
tent to  await  God's  time,  and  the  clear  sound  of 
the  voice  that  had  called  him  thither,  before  becom- 
ing discontented  with  his  work  and  his  wages. 
And  so,  trusting  to  the  care  of  Him  who  gives  his 
people  bread,  and  feeds  even  the  little  birds,  he 
brought  his  wife  from  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  set 
up  his  Lares,  unpacked  his  scanty  library,  and  gird- 
ed himself  for  the  work. 

He  soon  gathered  around  him  a  people  who  ad- 
mired his  talents,  appreciated  his  fluency  of  speech, 
and  were  attracted  by  his  genial  and  social  disposi- 
tion. There  were  at  that  time  a  number  of  young 
professional  men  in  the  place,  many  of  whom  after- 
wards rose  to  places  of  great  eminence  in  their 
country's  history,  who  co-operated  with  him  in  his 
work,  encouraged  him  in  his  studies,  and  were  al- 
ways ready  to  speak  a  good  word  for  him  amongst 
the  fellow  citizens  and  strangers. 

And  the  older  members  of  the  church,  who  had 
borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day  were  strength- 
ened and  built  up  by  his  sound,  judicious  exposi- 
tions of  the  word,  and  felt  that  they  were  fed  with 
the  finest  of  the  wheat. 

In  all  his  ministrations  there  was  the  evidence  of 
culture  and  growth  ;  the  things  that  were  old  seem- 
ed to  wear  a  new  and  attractive  garb  ;  and  things 
that  were  new  were  made  to  illustrate  and  confirm 
the  old.     The  influence  of  the  man  and  the  preach- 


82  Memorial. 


er  soon  began  to  be  felt,  and  a  new  direction  was 
given  to  everything  connected  with  the  church  and 
congregation.  The  old  Sewing  Society  took  on 
new  vigor,  and  led  in  the  direction  of  the  mission- 
ary work  ;  the  contributions  of  the  church  for  be- 
nevolent work,  was  no  longer  a  dead  form.  Under 
the  warm  and  intelligent  setting  forth  of  the  wants 
of  the  great  world  that  is  beyond  and  the  smaller 
world  that  is  within  the  bounds  of  our  own  terri- 
tory, these  collections  became  larger  and  accompan- 
ied by  the  sympathies  and  the  prayers  of  the  wor- 
shippers. 

Time  moved  on  ;  changes  came  ;  the  old  years 
passed  away  ;  the  new  ones  dawned  ;  the  two  an- 
gels were  busy  ;  the  death  angel  came  and  there 
was  weeping  and  mourning  in  the  households,  as 
he  bore  away  his  spoil  ;  the  birth  angel  came,  and 
there  was  joy  in  the  homes  of  those  whose  doors 
he  entered  as  the  low  wail  of  the  baby  was  heard, 
and  a  new  well-spring  of  joy  opened  up  in  the 
household,  and  a  new  citizen  introduced  to  the 
world.  The  latter  angel  came  to  the  minister's 
house  again  and  again,  until  in  time  three  goodly 
daughters  were  seen  in  the  home  and  made  their 
presence  felt  in  new  sources  of  joy  and  anxiety  to 
the  hearts  of  the  parents.  These  daughters  sur- 
vive their  father,  but  their  memories  do  not  reach 
back  to  the  days  spent  in  the  Franklin  home. 
Margaret  Christiana  was  born  in  the  old  Bowman 
mansion  on  the  west  side  of  the  Park,  and  Eva 
Reynolds  and   Fanny  Delia  in  the  brick  house  on 


Pastoral  Life  in  Fra^tklin.  8j 

the  eastern  side  of  the  Park.  The  former  house 
has  been  removed  and  its  memory  only  remains  ; 
the  latter  is  still  standing,  and  serves  as  a  monu- 
ment of  many  years  of  pleasant  labor,  and  domes- 
tic enjoyment  of  the  departed,  and  to  those  of  the 
family  who  remain,  of  quiet  years  of  patient 
waiting,  and  of  the  beginning  of  a  life  that  has 
had  its  joys  and  its  sorrows,  its  sunshine  and  its 
shadows. 

And  the  families  of  his  parishioners  grew  up 
around  him,  and  the  minister  felt  himself  drawn  to 
them  perhaps  more  tenderly  because  of  the  gentle 
ones  whom  he  saw  daily  in  his  own  home.  They 
were  the  hope  and  the  joy  of  his  heart,  even  as 
were  the  little  ones  whose  faces  he  saw  daily  around 
his  own  cheerful  table.  And  those  children  of  his 
parishioners  he  never  forgot,  even  after  they  grew 
up  and  took  their  places  in  society,  and  in  the  active 
duties  of  life. 

The  church  grew  slowly  during  the  first  years  of 
Mr.  Dickson's  pastorate  in  the  quiet  little  town. 
During  his  entire  work,  however,  there  was  the  grad- 
ual, healthy  increase  that  makes  the  pastor's  heart 
glad.  Sometimes  the  young  came  to  him  inquiring 
the  way  of  salvation.  Sometimes  the  strong  man 
or  woman  came  to  confess  Christ  and  take  up  the 
duties  of  the  Christian  life  ;  sometimes  the  aged  at 
the  eleventh  hour  came  acknowledging  the  Redeem- 
er of  sinners  and  testifying  to  his  love  and  faithful- 
ness. And  the  records  of  the  church  show  that, 
with  an  occasional  season  of  revival,  the  additions 


84  Memorial. 


were  regular  and  constant,  showing  a  healthy  con- 
dition of  the  church,  an  encouraging  feeling  in  the 
congregation,  and  testifying  to  the  impression  that 
was  making  in  the  small  church  of  Franklin.  In 
Sugar  Creek,  where  the  other  half  of  his  labor  was 
performed  the  influence  was  equally  good.  The 
scattered  members  of  the  flock  were  gathered  in. 
The  farmers  welcomed  their  pastor  to  their  firesides. 
He  talked  to  them  about  their  farms  and  their  hus- 
bandry as  one  who  had  been  a  tiller  of  the  soil  him- 
self, surprising  them  by  his  knowledge  of  all  the 
details  of  their  work.  And  the  transition  was  easy 
and  natural  to  the  husbandry  that  is  spiritual,  and 
the  work  that  pertains  to  all  the  life  of  the  soul,  when 
he  would  lead  their  thoughts  to  higher  themes  and 
more  spiritual  interests. 

There  are  very  few  remains  of  recorded  experi- 
ence connected  with  the  Franklin  Pastorate.  There 
are  the  church  rolls  of  Communicants  and  Baptisms, 
with  the  Records  of  the  Session.  But  these  tell  us 
of  the  contented  life  in  the  midst  of  what  must  have 
been  self-denying  labors,  and  multiplying  cares  ; 
and  what  we  know  was  a  beautiful  discipline  in  the 
way  of  ripening  spirituality  and  strengthening  faith 
as  he  worked,  and  that  he  always  tried  to  keep  near 
to  God. 

We  find  brief  extracts  from  two  letters  to  his 
father,  that  show  what  his  state  of  mind  was  during 
two  years  that  were  outwardly  full  of  the  wildest  ex- 
citement.    The  first  is  but  a  fragment : 


Pastoral  Life  in  Frayiklin.  8s 

TO  HIS  FATHER. 

Franklin,  December  1840. 
"God    has    blessed   me   abundantly.     My  people 
always  listen  and  often  weep.      God,  I  trust,  will 
keep  me  humble." 

"December  20,  1841. 
It  is  ten  years  to-day  since  I  began  to  go  to  school 
to  Joseph  M.  Hays  in  Harbour  Creek.     Since  then 
all  my  birth-days  have  been  spent  amongst  strang- 
ers." 

Cyrus  Dickson. 

The  minister  who  occupies  the  old  Sugar  Creek 
field  at  the  present  time  writes  this  concerning  the 
old  people  and  their  memories  of  more  then  the 
third  of  a  century  ago  : 

"The  general  impression  I  gather  of  his  work 
here  is  :  i.  That  the  people  considered  him  a  supe- 
rior preacher,  placing  him,  as  such,  above  any  one 
they  have  ever  heard.  2.  As  to  social  qualities.  In 
going  amongst  the  people  in  the  country  he  would 
make  himself  perfectly  at  home,  wherever  he  stopped 
for  a  night,  or  came  to  call,  and  a  great  many  still 
say  :  "He  made  his  home  at  oiir  place  when  he  came 
out  to  preach."  3.  His  familiarity  was  not  over- 
done. I  infer  this  from  the  fact  that  he  was  the 
means  of  great  ingathering  to  the  church,  reaching 
many  who  were  before  entirely  of  the  world's  people. 
In  fact  many  of  the  older  people  who  were  in  the 
field  when  I  came  here  have  told  me  that  they  united 
with  the  church  in  Mr.  Dickson's  time. 


86  Memorial. 


As  a  slight  indication  of  his  popularity  at  the 
time,  I  find  quite  a  number  of  men  from  the  age  of 
thirty  to  forty  years  now  bear  his  name." 

A  feature  of  the  time  in  which  this  pastorate  was 
carried  on,  was  the  missionary  work  that  was  called 
for  outside  of  the  regular  pastoral  charge.  There 
were  very  many  vacant  churches  in  the  Presbytery. 
They  were  small,  weak,  and  depended  almost  wholly 
on  supplies.  At  every  meeting  of  the  Presbytery 
"the  Committee  on  supplies"  reported  a  long  list  of 
these  vacancies,  with  appointments  for  the  Pastors 
to  furnish  them  with  a  day's  preaching.  Sometimes 
these  vacancies  were  a  great  distance  from  the  per- 
son appointed  to  supply  them.  But  it  mattered  not 
what  the  time  of  year,  or  the  condition  of  the  roads, 
the  work  was  expected  to  be  done. 

Mr.  Dickson,  being  a  young,  vigorous  man  was 
frequently  in  demand.  Perhaps  he  was  appointed 
to  go  to  Mount  Pleasant,  or  Concord,  or  Tidioute, 
or  Brokenstraw.  If  the  latter,  the  distance  was 
nearly  fifty  miles.  He  must  saddle  his  horse,  put 
over  the  saddle  the  saddle-bags,  and  set  out  on  the 
trip  up  the  Allegheny.  Seven  miles  from  home  he 
would  encounter  the  waters  of  Oil  creek.  Perhaps 
they  were  at  a  high  stage  and  there  being  no  bridge, 
the  fording  was  neither  pleasant  nor  safe.  Cross- 
ing to  the  other  side  the  road  led  up  a  long,  steep 
hill,  and  along  a  most  lonesome  road,  where  not  a 
single  house  would  be  passed  for  twelve  miles  ;  then 
through  a  sparsely  settled  region  to  the  Neill  place 
and  then  Tidioute,  then  on  along  the  margin  of  the 


Pasto7'al  Life  in  Franklin.  8y 


Allegheny  river  until  the  place  of  preaching  was 
reached.  After  the  labors  of  the  Sabbath  were 
over  then  the  same  journey  was  to  be  repeated. 

Then  it  was  customary  to  have  assistance  at  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  He  would  ex- 
change with  brethren,  and  go  away  to  Neshannock, 
to  Mercer,  to  Fairview,  to  Warren,  to  Meadville,  to 
Georgetown,  and  all  this  brought  the  labor  and 
fatigue  of  travel,  generally  on  horseback.  Some- 
times it  was  in  the  summer ;  sometimes  in  the  win- 
ter, through  the  cold,  and  often  over  roads  that  were 
rough,  broken,  and  sometimes  dangerous.  In  this 
way  the  young  man  learned  to  endure  hardness  as 
a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ. 

An  extract  from  the  Class  History  by  Dr.  J.  T. 
Smith  gives  the  following  features  of  the  man  and 
the  preacher  at  this  time. 

"His  whole  bearing  was  in  marked  contrast  with 
that  of  the  older  generation  of  ministers.  Genial 
vivacious,  many-sided,  of  quick,  warm  sympathies, 
he  threw  himself  among  the  people  and  made  him- 
self one  with  them.  Fluent,  off-hand,  eloquent 
in  the  pulpit,  bringing  the  gospel  home  to  'men's 
business  and  bosoms,'  he  soon  became  popular  and 
admired,  not  only  in  his  own  churches  but  through- 
out the  entire  Presbytery,  and  his  praise  is  in  all 
its  churches  to  this  day.  Little  did  he  think  that 
the  desert  and  the  solitary  place  would  so  soon  re- 
joice, and  the  little  companies  to  whom  he  brake 
the  bread  of  life  in  school  houses  and  rude  sanctu- 
aries would  so  soon  be  multiplied  into  those  crowd- 


88  Memorial. 


ed  congregations  which  throng  their  spacious 
houses  of  worship  to-day." 

During  his  ministry  at  Sugar  Creek  he  was  care- 
ful to  visit  not  only  the  families  of  his  congregation 
strictly  speaking,  but  those  that  did  not  attend  any 
church,  and  by  his  cordial,  free  conversation  often 
won  them  to  his  heart  and  to  his  church.  On  one 
occasion,  whilst  at  the  house  of  one  of  his  members, 
a  great,  strong  man,  addicted  to  drinking,  who  was 
working  for  the  family  came  in  to  dinner.  Mr. 
Dickson  at  once  began  a  conversation  with  him. 
He  asked  him  how  old  he  was ;  how  much  he 
weighed  ;  if  so  strong  a  man  as  he  ever  became 
tired  ;  how  many  children  he  had  ;  and  finally  in- 
vited him  to  come  to  meeting  the  next  day.  The 
questions  had  drawn  the  heart  of  the  man  to  the 
minister  and  as  he  told  him  how  glad  he  would  be 
to  see  him  at  meeting,  and  that  he  would  look  for 
him  the  next  day,  he  saw  that  an  impression  had 
been  made.  As  the  man  was  leaving  the  house  he 
shook  him  warmly  by  the  hand,  with  the  kind, 
laughing  words  :  *'Now  do  not  forget." 

The  next  day  the  man  was  at  the  meeting  with 
his  neighbors,  and  continued  to  attend  regularly, 
though  he  still  continued  his  habit  of  drinking  to 
excess  at  times.  Not  long  after  this,  the  minister 
and  an  elder  called  at  his  house,  to  make  a  pastoral 
visit.  The  man  was  absent,  having  gone  to  Frank- 
lin, but  the  wife  invited  them  to  remain  for  tea. 
They  consented,  hoping  to  see  the  father  on  his 
return.     It  was  dark  by  the  time  tea  was  ready. 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin.  8g 

and  the  man  had  not  returned.  After  tea  family- 
worship  was  proposed  ;  the  chapter  was  read,  and, 
just  as  they  kneeled  down,  the  elder  heard  the  un- 
steady steps  of  the  man  coming  up  on  the  porch. 
The  poor  man  took  in  the  situation  in  an  instant, 
and  stood  with  uncovered  head  and  listened.  Mr. 
Dickson  prayed  earnestly  for  the  family ;  for  the 
parents  and  the  dear  children  ;  that  they  might  all 
be  led  to  the  Saviour  and  find  peace  in  Him,  and  at 
last  a  home  in  heaven. 

After  the  prayer  was  concluded  the  man  came  in 
and  apologized  for  his  condition,  saying  that  he  was 
ashamed  of  himself,  and  asked  for  prayers  for  him- 
self that  he  might  become  a  better  man,  and  be 
kept  from  the  way  of  evil.  After  much  kind  ad- 
vice and  encouraging  conversation,  and  farther 
prayer,  the  visit  was  concluded,  and  the  party  went 
out  into  the  darkness,  but  leaving  light  behind 
them  in  that  household  such  as  it  had  never  known 
before.  About  two  months  after  this  visit  both 
parents  were  received  into  the  Church,  and  after- 
wards several  of  the  children.  The  demon  of 
strong  drink  was  banished  and  there  was  peace  and 
prosperity  in  the  household.  The  parents  have 
both  passed  away  and  sleep  in  the  quiet  church 
yard,  but  their  influence  remains.  And  the  value 
of  .pastoral  work,  by  a  faithful,  earnest  minister  is 
strongly  demonstrated. 

In  all  these  ways  :  '*By  pureness,  by  knowledge, 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  love  unfeigned"  did  this 
young  man,  armed  with  the  all-conquering  power  of 


go  Memorial, 


the  Gospel,  strive  to  bring  men  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  and  the  love  of  God.  And  the  result 
was,  that  that  little  flock,  struggling  for  existence, 
was  strengthened  and  built  up.  Persons  that 
seemed  hopelessly  given  to  the  ways  of  sin  were 
brought  to  trust  in  Christ,  and  the  word  of  the 
Lord  was  greatly  magnified.  And  the  memory  of  the 
good  work  wrought  there  forty  years  ago  remains 
until  this  day,  as  the  fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel 
speak  of  their  early  minister,  and  of  his  good  works. 
There  are  people  still  lingering  about  Sugar 
Creek,  with  ''snow  clinging  to  their  mountain  tops," 
As  Mr.  Dickson  once  expressed  it,  who  bear  in 
their  inmost  hearts  a  feeling  of  reverence  and  affec- 
tion for  their  old  pastor  that  many  waters  cannot 
quench.  He  is  associated  in  their  memories  with  all 
that  is  dear  and  valuable  in  their  past  and  all  that  is 
precious  in  their  future.  A  few  years  ago,  on  a  visit 
to  his  early  home  in  Franklin,  one  of  these  old  Sugar 
Creek  people  came  in  to  see  him.  His  head  was 
white  with  the  snows  of  nearly  seventy  winters. 
They  talked  of  the  past  ;  of  the  old  days  in  the 
woods  around  the  Sugar  Creek  meeting-house  ;  of 
the  preaching  and  the  prayer  meetings  ;  of  the  old 
patriarch's  own  conversion  ;  of  the  parting  and 
the  meeting  ;  of  the  final  leave-taking  of  earth, 
and  of  the  final  meeting  in  the  habitation  of  glory, 
to  go  no  more  out.  The  old  man  melted  down  like 
a  child.  Arising  to  go  on  his  way,  the  talk  contin- 
ued to  the  door ;  at  the  door  it  still  continued,  un- 
til, wringing  the  minister's  hand  as  though  he  would 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin.  gi 

crush  it,  the  old  man  tore  himself  away,  sobbing 
and  crying  so  as  to  be  audible  half  a  square  away. 
In  this  way  the  heart  of  the  man  laid  hold  of  his 
friends,  as  with  hooks  of  steel,  and  the  grasp  was  al- 
ways perpetual.  Both  pastor  and  parishioner  have 
now  struck  hands  on  the  other  side  of  the  flood, 
where  there  is  no  longer  the  voice  of  crying  nor  the 
ministry  of  tears. 

Although  the  roll  was  small  at  Sugar  Creek,  as 
well  as  at  Franklin,  yet  it,  too,  gradually  increased 
by  the  addition  of  the  children  of  the  church,  as 
well  as  by  many  families  that  had  not  hitherto  been 
connected  with  the  congregation.  And  peace  and 
good  feeling  prevailed  throughout  the  entire  bounds. 

In  i8zj4  the  General  Assembly  met  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky.  Mr.  Dickson  and  his  elder  Bowman 
were  elected  Commissioners.  This  was  a  fitting 
time  to  make  a  visit  to  his  father  at  Rock  Island 
Illinois.  Mrs.  Dickson  accompanied  him,  and  a  long 
and  satisfactory  visit  was  the  result.  The  trip  was 
a  pleasant  one,  taking  them  down  the  Ohio  and  up 
the  mighty  Mississippi.  And  the  pleasant  sojourn  ; 
the  excursions  over  the  vast  prairies  amidst  the  rank 
grasses  and  the  luxuriant  wild  flowers  ;  then  away 
across  to  Chicago,  and  down  the  Lakes  to  Erie  ; 
and  the  return  home  in  July,  formed  a  very  pleasant 
episode  in  the  life  of  the  hard  working  pastor,  It 
was  followed  by  new  strength  and  vigor  and  a  bet- 
ter preparation  for  the  work,  and  new  incitement  to 
diligence  and  activity  in  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel.    It  was  a  new  step,  too,  in  the  gradual  prepara- 


g2  Memorial. 


tion  of  the  man  for  the  highest  efficiency  in  the 
work  of  his  last  years,  the  great  Home  Mission 
field. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  August,  1845,  the  con- 
gregation of  Franklin  felt  themselves  able  to  secure 
the  entire  time  of  the  pastor,  and  accordingly  pre- 
sented a  call  to  the  Presbytery  to  this  effect.  The 
consideration  of  this  call  was  postponed  until  the 
next  meeting.  On  the  twenty-second  day  of  Octo- 
ber following,  the  matter  was  discussed,  and  the 
remonstrances  of  the  Sugar  Creek  people  consider- 
ed, when  it  was  thought  best  to  put  the  call  into 
Mr.  Dickson's  hands,  and  the  church  of  Sugar  Creek 
was  declared  vacant  from  the  first  day  of  January, 
1846. 

This  change  relieved  the  pastor  of  the  labor  and 
travel  connected  with  the  country  church,  and  gave 
him  more  time  for  study  and  pastoral  work  at  home. 
The  change  was  perceptibly  felt  by  the  people  in 
the  additional  work  that  was  performed. 

At  this  time  he  began  to  give  some  attention  to 
the  promotion  of  education  amongst  the  young  peo- 
ple. The  schools  of  the  time  were  not  of  high  grade. 
There  were  no  teachers  of  the  languages  nor  of 
higher  Mathematics.  He  was  a  lover  of  the  classics, 
and  had  always  kept  up  his  acquaintance  with  them, 
reading  the  pages  of  Virgil  with  a  professor's  love 
and  facility.  He  had  not  forgotten  the  old  days  at 
Canonsburgh  under  Professor  Kennedy's  treatment 
of  the  Mathematics,  and  could  still  talk  about  un- 
known quantities  and  the  functions  of  equations,  as 


Pastoral  Life  in  F7^anklin.  gj 

well  as  demonstrate  the  propositions  of  Euclid.  So 
the  opportunity  was  given  for  such  of  the  young 
people  as  desired  to  come  and  take  lessons  in  these 
branches,  hearing  their  recitations  in  his  study.  In 
this  way  his  own  love  for  these  branches  was  grati- 
fied ;  his  mind  was  refreshed  in  the  studies  of  the 
past,  and  the  opportunity  afforded  to  his  young 
friends  to  commence  studies  that  had  else  been  be- 
yond their  reach.  Perhaps  there  was  a  better  end 
accomplished  than  even  these  :  it  attracted  the  young 
people  to  him.  It  brought  them  to  his  church  ;  it 
interested  them  in  the  services  of  the  church,  and 
so  enlarged  greatly  the  sphere  of  his  influence  and 
usefulness.  By  all  these  means  and  instrumentali- 
ties he  worked  out  for  himself  a  field,  small  indeed 
in  geographical  extent  and  in  the  numbers  of  those 
composing  it,  but  yet  a  field  important  in  its  results 
to  himself  and  to  the  good  of  the  Church  at  large. 
It  was  an  important  school  in  which  he  was  receiv- 
ing training  adapted  to  prepare  him  for  the  work 
that  was  before  him  in  after  life,  when  he  should 
have  put  on  his  full  strength,  and  be  introduced  to 
a  wider  field  of  usefulness.  So  he  stood  in  his  lot 
and  was  content  to  do  God's  will. 

Though  very  much  averse  to  letter  writing,  yet 
he  still  used  this  medium  of  conveying  advice  and 
instruction  with  great  effect.  When  any  of  his 
young  people  were  away  at  school,  he  would  corres- 
pond with  them,  taking  an  interest  in  their  studies, 
exhorting  them  to  diligence  in  their  work,  inciting 
their  minds  to  excellence,  and  opening  up  to  them 


g4  Me7no7'ial. 


the  duties  of  coming  life ;  yet  never  forgetting  the 
great  matter  of  their  personal  salvation.  One  of 
his  correspondents  at  this  early  period  in  his  minis- 
try says  that  she  never  knew  him  to  write  a  letter 
without  making  this  matter  of  personal  religion  the 
most  prominent  thing.  And  it  seemed  just  a  mat- 
ter of  course,  as  though  it  was  in  his  mind  at  all 
times  and  must  come  out.  He  would  commence  by 
giving  the  news  of  the  town  ;  the  small  matters  that 
would  be  gratifying  to  a  young  person  away  from 
home ;  then  marriages  and  deaths  ;  the  visiters  in 
town  ;  the  persons  absent  in  making  similar  visits  : 
then  the  subject  would  almost  insensibly  change 
from  gay  to  grave  ;  the  great  duties  of  life ;  dili- 
gence in  study ;  devotion  to  business ;  the  calls  of 
society,  the  Church,  the  world ;  then  there  would 
come  the  earnest  question  ;  Do  you  love  the  Saviour  ? 
Do  you  grow  in  grace  "i  Do  you  pray  much  }  Do 
you  find  daily  enjoyment  in  religion.'* 

There  are  old  letters,  yellow  with  years  and  torn 
by  usage,  still  extant  in  his  peculiar,  cramped  style 
of  hand  writing,  that  would  tell  how  he  strove  by  all 
means  and  by  all  instrumentalities  to  win  souls  to 
Christ  and  help  them  forward  in  the  divine  life. 
And  these  letters,  esteemed  by  their  owners  as  the 
gold  of  the  west  would  not  be  esteemed,  but  hidden 
away  in  some  sacred  place,  as  the  bright  golden  links 
that  bind  them  to  the  past,  and  the  mementos  of 
one  whose  memory  is  worthy  to  be  embalmed  for 
eternal  remembrance. 

At  this  period  of  his  life  he  mingled  much  with 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin.  pj 


men.  He  talked  with  them.  He  learned  their  ways. 
He  studied  their  methods.  He  was  a  most  diligent 
student  of  human  nature.  He  looked  at  it  in  all 
its  forms  and  phases  ;  the  good  and  bad  were  alike 
the  subjects  of  observation,  and  the  different  shades 
of  good  and  evil  came  before  his  mind  for  analysis, 
as  a  most  interesting  and  valuable  study.  He  was 
able  to  reach  down  very  deeply  into  the  human 
heart,  and  discover  motives  that  were  all  unseen 
and  unknown  to  the  casual  observer.  And  it  was  for 
this  purpose  that  he  mingled  in  the  affairs  of  men. 
It  was  not  for  pastime,  or  love  of  excitement,  but 
that  he  might  be  furnished  with  knowledge  and  be 
supplied  with  arguments,  and  be  ready  to  meet  men 
on  their  own  grounds. 

He  attended  regularly  the  courts  that  were  then 
held  quarterly  in  the  town.  He  studied  attentively 
the  methods  of  the  attorneys  at  the  Bar ;  the  points 
of  the  Judge  on  the  bench  and  the  witnesses  on  the 
stand  :  he  make  a  careful  study  of  the  means  used 
in  the  tracing  of  crime  ;  the  bearing  of  the  prisoners, 
and  the  tendency  of  public  opinion  in  regard  to  the 
criminal  and  his  alleged  crime.  To  his  mind  all 
these  things  belonged  to  the  study  of  man  and  the 
proper  understanding  of  the  human  heart.  And  all 
this  study  and  knowledge  he  brought  to  bear  in  his 
pulpit  ministrations,  and  in  his  thorough  preparation 
for  preaching  the  entire  truths  of  the  gospel.  And 
they  were  a  part  of  his  general  studies  to  which  he 
attached  very  great  importance,  and  the  time  em- 
ployed in  this  manner  he  considered  well  spent. 


g6  Memorial. 


It  was  a  common  thing  during  these  early  days  for 
the  remark  to  be  make  that  if  he  had  chosen  the  Bar 
as  his  profession,  he  would  have  made  a  most  bril- 
liant lawyer,  and  would  have  adorned  his  profession. 
And  although  this  may  have  been  true,  yet  there 
were  high  and  noble  elements  in  his  nature  and 
constitution  that  shone  brightly  and  beautifully  in 
the  preacher  that  would  never  have  appeared  in  the 
lawyer.  They  would  have  been  like  precious  stones 
buried  in  the  deeps  of  the  ocean,  unwrought,  un- 
polished and  unknown.  Even  in  these  early  days 
there  was  a  freshness  and  a  brilliancy  in  him  that 
showed  that  he  was  peculiarly  qualified  for  the  pro- 
fession to  which  he  had  been  called,  and  qualities 
that  would  have  been  misplaced  or  lost  in  any  other 
profession. 

But  with  all  this  study  of  nature  and  this  observa- 
tion of  the  human  heart,  there  was  something  deep- 
er and  better  and  more  valuable.  There  was  a  heart 
within  all  aflame  with  the  love  of  God.  There  was 
a  soul  all  attuned  to  the  harmony  of  the  Divine  Na- 
ture. There  was  a  love  for  the  souls  of  men  that 
many  waters  could  not  quench.  Then  there  was 
the  Word  of  God,  that  like  Timothy  he  had  known 
from  his  youth,  and  that  he  studied,  not  only  to  find 
the  path  for  his  own  guidance,  as  an  individual 
Christian,  but  for  his  guidance  as  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel,  and  a  guide  to  his  fellow  men.  And  so  he 
preached  Christ  to  his  fellow  men.  As  he  loved 
and  took  in  the  Gospel  himself,  so  he  loved  to  com- 
mend it  to  others  and  impress  its  value  upon  their 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin,  p/ 

souls.  His  own  heart  experience  in  the  past  and  in 
the  present,  was  a  most  fruitful  source  from  which 
he  gathered  material  to  bring  conviction  to  the 
hearts  of  others  and  to  encourage  them  in  the  way 
of  godliness. 

In  the  summer  of  1847,  he  made  another  journey 
with  his  wife  to  the  Mississippi,  "to  see  and  em- 
brace his  dear  father  once  more",  as  he  expressed  it 
in  a  letter  to  a  friend.  And  these  tender  expres- 
sions were  common  in  every  letter  he  wrote  in  refer- 
ence to  his  parents  and  other  relatives.  They  run 
like  a  delicate  golden  thread  throughout  every  epistle, 
testifying  the  deep  and  unalterable  love  that  dwelt 
in  his  heart  and  how  much  he  valued  those  who  were 
dear  to  him.  And  every  few  years,  notwithstand- 
ing the  toil  of  travel  in  those  early  days,  he  made 
his  pilgrimage  to  the  far  west  to  see  and  converse 
with  his  father. 

This  trip,  in  1847,  was  a  most  delightful  one,  and 
all  parties  were  profited.  The  return  journey  was 
again  by  the  Lakes,  stopping  at  the  Manitou  Islands, 
buffeted  by  the  storms,  comforted  by  the  calm 
days  that  followed,  and  refreshed  and  invigorated 
by  the  rest  and  the  grateful  breezes  from  the  upper 
lakes.  Mr.  Dickson  was  not  only  a  hard  working 
man,  but  one  who  knew  well  the  laws  of  health ; 
and  he  was  always  careful  to  avail  himself  of  any 
time  of  recreation  and  take  in  to  the  full  every  ad- 
vantage that  might  accrue  from  his  seasons  of  rest. 

In  the  meantime  the  people  of  Rock  Island  and 
Camden  became  acquainted  with  the  eastern  preach- 


p<?  Memorial. 


er,  and  were  attracted  by  his  vigorous  speech  and 
well  ordered  discourses,  and  began  to  express  de- 
sires for  his  ministry  amongst  them.  His  father  was 
consulted.  He  was  now  well  stricken  in  years,  and 
would  have  been  gratified  beyond  measure  to  have 
had  him  near  him  during  his  last  years.  Over- 
tures were  made  to  the  son  with  this  appeal  from 
the  aged  father.  The  question  of  duty  became  a 
very  serious  one. 

Finally  a  call  was  made  out  by  these  two  church- 
es for  his  pastoral  labors  and  forwarded  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Erie.  This  call  was  laid  before  the  Pres- 
bytery at  its  meeting  on  the  twenty  second  day  of 
December,  1847.  Meanwhile  the  people  of  Rock 
Island  were  urgent.  It  seemed  to  them  that  their 
best  interests  required  the  work  of  the  Pennsylva- 
nia Pastor.  But  the  Presbytery,  after  much  discus- 
sion, declined  to  put  the  call  into  his  hands,  and 
the  work  went  on  as  before  at  Franklin. 

In  the  meantime  the  voices  of  invitation  were 
heard  in  another  direction.  A  new  organization  was 
spoken  of  in  Wheeling,  Virginia.  The  first  church, 
long  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Dr.  Weed,  was  ready 
to  send  out  a  colony  that  should  be  the  nucleus  of 
a  new  church.  Its  roll  was  large,  the  city  was  ex- 
tending its  boundaries,  and  new  territory  was  to  be 
cultivated.  The  church  was  not  yet  organized,  but 
the  advice  of  a  minister  was  thought  desirable. 
Several  intelligent  gentlemen,  who  had  been  con- 
nected with  a  manufacturing  establishment  in 
Franklin,  and  members  of  the  congregation  of  Mr. 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin.  gg 

Dickson  there,  had  removed  to  Wheeling  to  engage 
in  the  same  business  at  that  place.  They  spoke 
with  enthusiasm  of  the  Franklin  minister,  and 
urged  that  the  people  should  hear  him  before  em- 
barking in  the  enterprise.  He  was  invited,  and 
prevailed  on  to  spend  a  Sabbath  at  Wheeling,  which 
he  did,  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people. 

Mr.  Dickson  returned  to  his  home  and  went  on 
with  his  work.  But  the  church  was  organized  and 
the  result  of  the  visit  was  that  an  election  was  held 
for  Pastor  in  the  Second  church.  Wheeling,  Mr. 
Dickson  was  elected,  a  call  was  made  out  for  his 
pastoral  labprs,  and  sent  up,  by  a  delegation  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Erie  at  its  meeting  in  Meadville, 
Pennsylvania,  and  urged  with  all  the  influence  pos- 
sible before  that  body.  This  was  on  the  fifteenth 
day  of  March,  1848. 

A  letter  was  also  received  at  the  same  meeting 
of  Presbytery  from  the  churches  of  Rock  Island 
and  Camden,  asking  Presbytery  to  re-consider  their 
former  action,  and  place  their  call  in  Mr.  Dickson's 
hands.  Presbytery  re-considered  their  former  ac- 
tion and  placed  the  calls  both  from  Rock  Island 
and  Wheeling  in  his  hands  for  his  consideration. 
This  was  an  anxious  time  for  the  Franklin  pastor. 
He  revolved  the  question  in  his  own  mind  carefully, 
and  consulted  his  friends,  holding  it  under  conside- 
ration until  the  next  morning,  when  he  declared  his 
acceptance  of  the  call  from  the  Second  Church, 
Wheeling. 

All   that  remained  to  be  done  now  was  to  take 


100  Memorial. 


the  necessary  steps  for  the  dissolution  of  his  pas- 
toral relation  to  the  church  at  Franklin,  and  his 
transference  to  the  scene  of  his  future  labors.  The 
Franklin  church  were  asked  for  their  assent,  and  by 
their  commissioner,  Mr.  Bowman  gave  this  assent, 
most  reluctantly.  The  pastoral  relation  that  bound 
him  to  his  first  charge  was  sundered,  and  the 
minister  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Washing- 
ton. This  was  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  March, 
1848.  In  a  few  brief  and  tender  words,  and  with 
tears  that  could  not  be  repressed,  he  took  leave  of 
the  Presbytery,  stating  that  he  never  expected  to 
have  a  pleasanter  charge,  nor  a  dearer  Presbyterial 
relation  upon  earth.  He  asked  the  sympathies  and 
prayers  of  the  brethren  for  himself  and  his  infant 
church,  commended  them  to  God  and  His  love,  and 
went  forth  from  the  body  that  had  licensed  and  or- 
dained him  with  a  full  heart,  yet  with  the  convic- 
tion that  the  path  of  duty  lay  before  him. 

The  home  was  broken  up.  The  old  pulpit  where 
he  had  preached  so  many  years  was  occupied  for  the 
last  time.  The  last  adieus  were  spoken  to  the  peo- 
ple, and  the  minister  and  his  wife  and  children  took 
their  last  home  look  at  the  place,  that  had  become 
endeared  to  them  all  by  so  many  tender  ties,  and 
turned  their  faces  towards  new  scenes  and  new 
labors  and  enjoyments  ;  but  there  was  a  feeling  of 
sadness  in  the  hearts  of  the  parents  at  the  thought 
of  leaving  a  people  so  firmly  bound  to  them  by 
tender  ties. 

With  Mr.  Dickson    there  was  this  very  solemn 


Pastoral  Life  in  Franklin.  loi 


thought,  that  he  had  closed  a  pastorate  of  eight 
years,  for  which  he  was  to  account  at  the  last  to 
Him  who  had  counted  him  worthy,  putting  him  into 
the  ministry.  And  when  he  spoke  of  this  after- 
wards he  remarked  that  his  strong  trust  and  conso- 
lation was  in  this  ;  "the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  His 
Son  cleanses  from  all  sin." 

But  he  bore  away  with  him  the  love  and  confi- 
dence of  his  people ;  and  in  his  own  heart  he  felt  a 
love  for  this  his  first  charge  that  never  waned  nor 
grew  cold.  On  every  occasion  of  his  return  he  was 
not  only  greeted  with  kind  words  by  the  people, 
but  felt  at  home  among  them,  and  seemed  ever  to 
bear  them  on  his  heart  and  in  his  love. 


V.    PASTORAL  LIFE  AT  WHEELING. 


^^ Skillful  alike  with  tongue  and pe^t^ 
He  preached  to  all  men  everywhere 
The  gospel  of  the  Golden  Rnle^ 
The  new  Commandment  given  to  men. 
Thinking  the  deed  and  not  the  creed, 
Would  help  iLS  in  our  utmost  need'' 

Longfellow. 

^^ Serving  the  Lord  with  all  hiunility  of  mind,  and 
with  many  tears ^ 

Acts  xx.  19, 


V.     PASTORAL  LIFE  AT  WHEELING. 


Mr.  Dickson  commenced  his  pastoral  work  in 
Wheeling  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  April,  1848. 
It  was  a  new  enterprize.  The  second  church  had 
been  organized  but  a  short  time.  It  was  without 
a  church  edifice  and  the  members  were  few.  But 
they  were  all  active^  willing  supporters  of  the, new 
minister,  and  threw  heart  and  soul  into  the  work  ; 
and  from  the  first  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  rested 
upon  it.  In  the  Session,  the  Choir,  the  Sabbath 
School,  the  Prayer  Meeting,  the  people  with  one 
mind  set  themselves  to  work,  and  the  hands  of  the 
new  pastor  were  upheld  in  a  way  that  greatly  en- 
couraged and  strengthened  him.  The  work  was 
entered  upon  by  the  pastor  with  the  same  zeal  and 
energy  that  had  characterized  him  in  his  former 
charge  at  Franklin.  He  sought  to  become  acquaint- 
ed with  the  people.  He  studied  their  tastes,  their 
wants,  their  habits.  His  new  line  of  study  was  in 
the  direction  of  their  tastes  and  wants.  He  sou^rht 
as  well  to  please  as  to  do  them  good.  He  laid  out 
work  for  himself,  and  work  for  his  people  and  every 
thing  went  forward  with  encouraging  success. 

He  was  received  as  a  member  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Washington  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  April 
1848,  and  was   installed   as   pastor   of  the  second 


io6  Memorial. 


church  on  the  I2th  of  May,  of  the  same  year.  At 
its  organization  on  the  eighteenth  of  February, 
1848,  there  were  but  fourteen  members,  eight  of 
whom  were  ladies.  During  this  first  pastorate  of  a 
little  more  than  eight  years,  more  than  four  hun- 
dred persons  were  received  into  it. 

The  following  paper  was  prepared  by  Rev.  Ed- 
gar Woods,  of  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  who  was 
one  of  the  original  elders,  and  active  helpers  in 
ihe  infant  church  : 

"Dr.  Dickson  removed  from  Franklin,  Pa.,  in  the 
spring  of  1848,  to  take  charge  of  the  2d  church  of 
Wheeling,  Va.,  which  was  organized  in  February 
of  the  same  year,  with  fourteen  members.  Their 
first  place  of  meeting  was  a  large  room  in  the  third 
story  of  a  building  used  for  business  purposes. 
This  apartment  served  the  end,  comparatively  well, 
for  the  time,  notwithstanding  the  heat  of  Summer. 
A  Sabbath  School  was  immediately  put  in  operation. 
The  weekly  lecture  and  prayer  meeting  were  estab- 
lished. The  popular  character  of  Dr.  Dickson's 
ministrations,  his  fluent  speech  and  fervent  spirit, 
soon  drew  a  large  congregation. 

The  happy  impression  which  he  made  reached 
beyond  the  church  and  extended  widely  through- 
out the  community.  This  was  seen,  when  the  ef- 
fort was  begun,  soon  after,  to  provide  for  a  perma- 
nent house  of  worship.  A  friendly  spirit  was  man- 
ifested towards  the  new  enterprise,  and  liberal  sums 
contributed,  to  carry  out  its  plans.  In  the  fall  of 
the  year,  (1848),  a  lot  was  purchased,  in  the  section 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheelhig.  loj 

of  the  city  lying  south  of  Wheeling  creek,  and  a 
part  of  the  building  standing  on  it,  which  had  for- 
merly been  the  residence  of  one  of  the  old  families 
of  the  place,  was  fitted  up  for  the  temporary  occu- 
pation of  the  congregation.  In  the  meantime  the 
congregation  was  constantly  increasing.  It  was 
joined  by  a  number  of  persons  who  had  hitherto 
been  classed  with  other  denominations.  There 
were  attracted  to  it  many  who  had  never  been  in 
the  habit  of  attending  the  services  of  any  church. 
Nor  was  it  long  after  the  removal  to  the  new  place 
of  worship  before  the  hearts  of  many  were  stirred 
by  the  preaching  of  the  word.  A  cheering  revival 
took  place.  Deep  solemnity  prevailed  in  the  as- 
semblies. Voices  were  lifted  up  in  prayer  which 
had  never  been  heard  to  pray  before.  The  hearts 
of  the  people  were  poured  forth  in  the  songs  of 
praise.  The  soul  of  the  pastor  was  encouraged 
and  sustained  by  the  large  number  of  seals  so  soon 
given  to  his  ministry  in  his  new  field. 

"  In  the  following  summer  the  foundations  of  a 
spacious  and  comfortable  church  building  were  laid, 
and  the  building  itself  was  ready  for  occupancy 
during  the  next  winter.  So  steady  and  rapid  had 
been  the  growth  of  the  congregation  that  the  new 
church  was  filled  as  soon  as  it  was  opened.  From 
this  period,  until  Dr.  Dickson's  removal  to  Balti- 
more, in  1856,  the  progress  of  the  church  in  num- 
bers, as  well  as  in  all  departments  of  its  work, 
was  continuous.  At  the  end  of  his  pastorate, 
which  stretched  a  little  over  eight  years,  it  was  one 


io8  '  Mcmoi'ial. 


of  the  most  influential  churches  of  the  Presbytery 
and  Synod  to  which  it  belonged. 

"While  many  warm-hearted  co-adjutors,  and  many 
hearts  earnest  in  prayer,  were  joined  with  Dr. 
Dickson  in  this  work,  it  is  proper  to  say  that  it  was 
mainly  accomplished  by  his  well-directed  labors 
and  influence.  He  was  filled  with  the  spirit  of  ar- 
dent faith  and  piety.  His  reliance  was  fixed  on 
God's  blessing.  Notwithstanding  his  fine  natural 
gifts,  he  was  thoroughly  penetrated  with  the  con- 
viction that  success  was  to  be  obtained,  *'not  by 
might  nor  by  power"  but  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 
He  was  diligent  in  inculcating  this  truth  upon  his 
people.  He  lost  no  opportunity  in  urging  them  to 
prayer.  In  meetings  for  this  purpose  he  called 
their  attention  to  the  immediate  wants  of  the 
Church.  And  as  a  preparation  for  the  Sabbath,  he 
was  accustomed  during  a  large  part  of  this  period 
to  invite  two  or  three  of  his  most  intimate  Chris- 
tian friends  to  meet  with  him  on  Saturday  even- 
ings to  pray  for  a  blessing  on  the  services  of  the 
ensuing  day. 

"He  was  eminently  adapted  to  the  pastoral  work, 
by  his  admirable  social  powers.  One  is  seldom 
met  with  who  is  more  free  and  genial  in  his  inter- 
course with  men.  He  was  apposite  in  his  address  to 
all  classes — the  young  and  the  old,  the  ignorant  and 
the  learned.  He  was  able  in  whatever  company  he 
mingled  to  suggest  topics  of  conversation  which 
were  both  pertinent  and  within  the  range  of  all 
present.     Possessed  of  this  quality,  and  possessed 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheeling.  log 

also  of  an  ample  fund  of  tender  sympathy,  he  was 
always  a  welcome  visitor  in  the  chambers  of  the 
sick.  His  ready  acquaintance  with  the  promises 
of  Scripture,  and  his  apt  and  fervent  prayers, 
often  relieved  the  distressed,  and  comforted  the 
souls  of  the  sorrowful. 

''But  the  preaching  of  the  word  was  his  great 
gift.  The  Bible  was  his  chief  study.  His  mind 
was  full  of  its  sacred  truths.  His  knowledge  of 
the  doctrines  of  grace,  and  their  relations  to  each 
other,  was  systematic  and  exact.  His  sermons 
were  deeply  imbued  with  the  gospel.  The  older 
he  grew  the  more  attached  he  became  to  the  sim- 
ple expounding  of  scripture — not  so  much  the  ex- 
planation of  a  lengthy  and  continuous  passage,  as 
gathering  together  the  leading  texts  bearing  on 
the  subject  in  hand,  and  thereby  setting  it  forth,  in 
all  its  varied  lights.  And  his  manner  of  present- 
ing the  truth,  was  exceedingly  popular  and  effect- 
ive. He  was  most  fertile  in  illustration.  His  im- 
ages were  collected  from  every  quarter,  and  exhib- 
ited with  rare  felicity.  His  power  of  speech  was 
wonderful.  He  was  never  at  a  loss  for  a  word,  and 
that  word  was  almost  always  just  the  right  word. 
His  enunciation,  though  rapid,  was  distinct.  His 
action  was  warm  and  animated.  His  countenance 
and  his  whole  figure  were  at  times  instinct  with 
the  passionate  fervor  of  his  feelings,  and  when  in- 
spired with  the  magnitude  of  his  subject,  and  im- 
pressed with  the  sympathies  of  his  audience,  he 
frequently  rose  to  the  highest  sphere  of  public  dis- 


no  Memorial. 


course,  and  carried  away  the  understandings  and 
hearts  of  all  before  him  with  the  rushing  torrent 
of  his  eloquence. 

"Perhaps  the  most  interesting  of  all  the  ministra- 
tions of  Dr.  Dickson  were  his  addresses  at  the 
Monthly  Concert.  His  heart  fully  sympathized 
with  the  spirit  of  the  command,  *'Go  ye  into  all 
the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature." 
He  cherished  a  lively  interest  in  the  glory  of  the 
Saviour  and  an  earnest  zeal  for  the  conversion  of 
the  world.  When  he  began  to  speak  on  this  sub- 
ject it  seemed  as  if  all  his  powers  were  enlarged 
and  quickened  to  their  utmost  extent.  "His  words 
breathed  and  his  thoughts  burned,"  and  though 
men  might  come  to  hear  him  sceptical  as  to  the 
practical  issues  of  the  subject,  or  altogether  indif- 
ferent to  it,  yet  few,  after  hearing  him,  went  away 
without  being  thrilled  to  their  inmost  hearts,  with 
the  crying  miseries  of  a  lost  world,  and  aroused  by 
the  desire  to  extend  to  it  a  helping  hand." 

As  the  work  went  forward  the  labors  of  the  Pas- 
tor were  multiform.  Everything  that  his  active, 
eager  mind  could  invent,  that  promised  success  in 
good,  was  attempted,  and  generally  resulted  favor- 
ably. One  of  his  plans  was  a  night  school  that 
was  held  in  the  Lecture  room  of  the  church.  It 
met  two  or  three  evenings  in  the  week,  and  was  de- 
signed more  particularly  for  the  young  men  of  the 
congregation  who  were  employed  during  the  day, 
who  wished  to  become  more  thoroughly  educated 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheeling.  iii 

than  their  early  opportunities  had  afforded,  and  who 
could  not  give  up  their  daily  employments.  Per- 
sons outside  the  congregation  were  welcomed,  and 
this  influence  often  brought  them  into  a  nearer  re- 
lation to  the  church.  The  teachers  were  all  volun- 
teers from  the  church.  One  elder  and  three  friends, 
two  of  whom  became  elders,  all  classical  scholars, 
joined  the  pastor  in  this  work. 

The  enterprise  was  successful.  It  was  entirely 
gratuitous  work  and  brought  forth  some  rich  fruits. 
Some  of  these  pupils  were  very  successful  in  after 
life.  One  of  them  became  a  foreign  missionary, 
and  one  is  now  an  honored  minister  in  Western 
Pennsylvania. 

One  of  the  elements  of  the  success  of  this 
church  enterprise  was  its  thorough  organization 
from  the  beginning.  In  addition  to  this  there  was 
zeal  and  piety  not  only  in  the  minister,  but  in  all 
the  members.  One  of  these  early  members  says  : 
''Every  part  of  church  work  was  carried  forward 
with  earnestness  and  zeal — the  minister  had  many 
helpers — I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  knew  a  church 
where  the  men  had  so  much  spirituality  and  devo- 
tion." A  strong  element  in  this  success  was,  no 
doubt,  the  dependence  the  people  all  had  on  the 
blessing  of  God  sent  down  through  fervent,  believ- 
ing prayer. 

During  the  winter  of  1848-9,  a  powerful  revival 
was  experienced  in  the  church.  The  preaching 
had  been  warm  and  earnest,  yet  withal  the  simple 
truth  of  the  Gospel.     It  was  God's  way  of  salva- 


112  Memorial. 


tion  set  forth  plainly  and  simply.  It  was  the  old 
doctrines  that  had  shaken  the  churches  of  western 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  at  the  beginning  of  the 
century  ;  the  total  depravity  of  the  heart ;  the  con- 
demnation of  a  holy  law  ;  and  the  utter  inability  of 
the  sinner  to  work  out  salvation  for  himself.  It 
was  the  presentation  of  Christ  crucified  for  sinners, 
taking  the  place  of  sinners,  bearing  their  sins  in 
His  own  body  on  the  tree,  and  thus  making  an 
atonement  for  them.  It  was  the  Holy  Spirit's 
agency  in  regenerating,  renewing  and  sanctifying 
and  fitting  for  God's  service.  And  then  it  was  the 
earnest  call  to  faith  and  repentance  and  prayer. 
All  these  things  were  made  prominent,  and  then 
there  was  the  earnest  call  to  embrace  at  once  the 
offer  of  salvation. 

Previous  to  this  there  had  been  the  earnest  talks 
of  the  Session,  with  constant  prayer  on  the  part  of 
each  member  for  the  blessing  of  God  on  the  means, 
and  there  had  been  the  quiet  talks  with  the  people 
in  regard  to  the  common  salvation,  until  almost  ev- 
ery heart  in  the  congregation  had  been  stirred,  and 
a  feeling  not  only  of  anxiety,  but  of  expectation 
had  been  felt  amongst  the  people,  whether  profes- 
sors or  not.  As  the  people  talked  often  one  to 
another  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  for 
them  that  feared  the  Lord  and  that  thought  upon 
His  name.  The  people  were  ready  for  the  revival, 
and  it  came  with  most  precious  fruits  and  most 
blessed  comfort  to  the  pastor  and  his  people. 

The    instrumentalities    used    were    simple,    the 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheeling.  iij 

preaching  of  the  Gospel,  meetings  for  prayer  and 
religious  conversation  ;  invitations  to  meet  the  pas- 
tor and  Session  in  private,  and  above  all  the  earnest 
cry  of  the  people  to  God  for  the  presence  and  pow- 
er of  His  Holy  Spirit.  These  meetings  resulted 
in  a  wonderful  ingathering  to  the  church.  It  was 
a  quiet,  solemn  work.  God  was  present  with  His 
people,  answering  prayer,  rewarding  faith,  convert- 
ing sinners,  and  building  up  his  people.  This  year 
of  solemnity  will  never  be  forgotten  by  that  church. 

Another  result  of  this  revival  was  the  extension 
of  the  influence  of  the  church  where  it  had  never 
been  felt  before.  It  was  felt  not  only  by  the  little 
band  that  begun  to  worship  in  the  hired  house  at 
the  beginning  of  the  pastorate,  but  by  those  who 
had  never  been  recognized  by  any  church.  There 
was  an  influence  from  within  that  was  felt  from 
without,  the  people  began  to  come  in  and  find  a 
church  home  where  they  had  never  sought  such  a 
home  before  nor  even  felt  the  importance  of  such 
a  home.  God's  Spirit  was  present,  drawing  them 
to  the  house  of  God,  and  His  power  was  felt  making 
his  word  as  a  fire  and  as  a  hammer  that  breaketh 
the  rock  in  pieces.  And  the  influence  was  felt  in 
that  new  portion  of  the  city  leavening  it  with  the 
leaven  of  the  Gospel  and  thereby  improving  it  in 
every  aspect  of  its  spiritual  condition. 

The  following  letters,  written  during  the  progress 
of  this  revival,  to  his  father,  will  convey  some  idea 
of  his  own  estimate  of  the  work,  and  of  his  joy  in 
the  Lord  as  he  refers  to  it : 


11^  Memorial. 


Wheeling,  Dec.  1848. 

— "There  is  a  very  general  seriousness  in  our 
congregation.  Our  church  both  day  and  night  was 
filled  utterly  full  and  I  am  told  that  more  than  two 
hundred  went  away  who  could  not  get  in  at  all." 

January,  1849. 

— "For  the  last  three  months  a  quiet,  happy 
work  of  the  Spirit  has  been  progressing  amongst  us. 
We  have  had  a  delightful  winter  so  far  as  religion 
is  concerned.  I  am  a  happy  pastor  over  a  happy 
people." 

Wheeling,  Feb.,  1849. 

— "In  this  work  there  is  no  noise,  no  extra  meet- 
ings. It  is  characterized  by  great  stillness  in  pub- 
lic worship  and  the  great  numbers  that  attend. 
There  are  many  who  have  not  been  in  any  church 
for  years,  and  my  congregation,  to  a  great  extent,  is 
made  up  of  those  who  went  "nowhere." 

The  Session  remains  every  Sabbath  and  Wednes- 
day evening,  after  public  worship,  to  impart  coun- 
sel and  instruction  to  any  who  may  desire  it.  I 
have  good  hopes  that  the  work  will  be  a  permanent 
one.  One  great  comfort  to  me  is,  that  out  of  the 
25  added  at  the  last  communion  nearly  all  were 
heads  of  families." 

Whilst  in  Wheeling,  Mr.  Dickson  made  one  or 
two  trips  to  Rock  Island  to  visit  his  venerable 
father,  now  growing  somewhat  infirm,  in  his  ad- 
vancing years.     On  his  return  from   one  of  these 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheeling.  ii^ 

tours  he  remarked  to  the  household  that  the 
order  of  things  was  somewhat  changed  during  the 
lapse  of  years,  inasmuch  as  he  now  had  made  the 
trip  in  the  same  number  of  hours  that  it  had  re- 
quired days  to  make  the  same  journey  in  1836. 

In  1849,  h^  ^3.s  appointed  Stated  Clerk  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Washington,  an  office  he  continued 
to  hold  until  his  removal  to  the  Presbytery  of  Bal- 
timore. He  was,  during  a  part  of  his  sojourn  here, 
a  Director  of  the  Western  Theological  Seminary 
in  Allegheny,  resigning  on  his  removal  to  the  east. 
His  influence  was  felt  largely  at  this  time  not  only 
in  the  west  but  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  church, 
and  his  name  was  mentioned  frequently  in  connec- 
tion with  the  great  church  enterprises  of  the  day. 
This  influence  was  felt  in  the  Synod  of  Wheeling, 
where  great  reliance  was  placed  in  his  judgment. 
He  did  not  often  speak,  yet  when  important  ques- 
tions were  at  issue,  his  short  incisive  sentences,  so 
clearly  and  sharply  cut,  in  his  brief  speeches,  al- 
ways had  weight,  and  greatly  influenced  the  body 
in  its  conclusions.  In  the  same  way,  in  the  Gener- 
al Assembly,  whilst  he  was  generally  silent,  yet  at 
times  the  sharp,  quick  glance  of  his  eye  was  the 
signal  of  such  interest  as  to  cause  him  to  rise  and 
give  his  views  with  very  great  distinctness. 

He  kept  up  his  correspondence  with  his  father 
regularly,  and  in  the  extract  from  one  of  these  let- 
ters we  see  something  of  the  spirit  that  animated 
his  inner  life  : 


ii6  Memorial. 


Dec,  1854. 

**If  to  see  these  things  'in  a  glass  darkly,'  is  so 
sweet,  what  will  it  be  to  see  them  ''face  to  face" 
and  if  to  know  them  even  partially  is  so  exciting, 
how  glorious  will  it  be  to  know  them  as  they  are 
known.  Let  us  be  ready  for  heaven.  From  its  glo- 
rious mountain-tops  we  can  see  far  away  over  all 
the  hills  and  valleys  of  this  little  world  we  now  in- 
habit. The  day  of  our  departure  is  drawing  nigh — 
let  us  be  always  ready T 

His  popularity  as  a  preacher  was  universally  ac- 
knowledged at  this  time,  and  his  power  in  the  city, 
now  rapidly  growing  up,  fully  felt.  A  friend  of 
his,  arriving  at  one  of  the  hotels  on  Saturday  night, 
approached  the  office  on  Sabbath  morning  to  in- 
quire the  way  to  the  church.  He  found  that  he 
was  anticipated  by  two  other  gentlemen,  who  were 
inquiring  who  was  the  best  preacher  in  the  city,  as 
they  d'esired  to  go  to  church.  The  gentlemanly 
clerk,  with  an  earnest  look,  replied  :  "Oh  go  to 
Dickson's  church,  of  course,  if  you  wish  to  hear 
the  best  preacher." 

During  his  pastorate  he  delivered  a  course  of 
Sabbath  evening  lectures  on  the  seven  seals,  from 
the  Revelation,  that  attracted  great  attention,  even 
beyond  his  own  immediate  congregation.  Whilst 
these  discourses  were  judicious  and  evangelical, 
and  instructive,  they  were  somewhat  in  advance  of 
the  generally  received  interpretation  given  by  the 
older-  Commentators.  They  were  the  result  of  his 
own  private  thinking  and  of  his  own  observation  of 


Pastoral  Life  at   Wheeling.  iiy 

the  course  of  history,  drawing  his  conclusions  from 
the  past  and  from  these  making  his  forecast  of  the 
future. 

Whilst  he  did  not  advertise  his  subjects,  nor  use 
any  unusual  methods  to  attract  the  attention  of  those 
outside  his  own  congregation,  he  often  preached  se- 
ries of  sermons  that  excited  the  attention  of  his 
own  people  and  gave  a  zest  to  subjects  that  would 
not  otherwise  have  made  so  strong  an  impression 
on  their  minds. 

A  letter  to  a  member  of  the  session  of  the  Wheel- 
ing church,  written  from  the  Secretary's  desk,  is  in- 
serted here,  as  showing  the  feelings  of  the  pastor 
for  his  old  flocks,  though  occupied  by  other  duties  : 

FROM    CYRUS    DICKSON    TO    ROBERT    CRANGLE. 

''New  York,  April  6,  1877. 

It  was  29  years  Monday  since  I  reached  Wheel- 
ing with  my  family.  It  is  a  good  while  ago  and  a 
good  many  changes  have  occurred  since  !  Some 
have  been  born  and  many  have  died  with  whom  we 
have  been  and  are  still  tenderly  connected.  Your 
head  is  covered  with  iron-gray  but  mine  is  white 
as  snow.  I  am  conscious  of  being  the  same  sinner 
as  then,  with,  I  trust,  deeper  knowledge  of  and  ad- 
miration for  God's  infinite  and  unmerited  grace.  I 
remember  once  preaching  in  Wheeling  a  long  time 
ago  on  Paul's  expression  in  Cor.  "By  the  grace  of 
God  I  am  what  I  am."  I  think  I  feel  it  more  and 
understand  it  better  now  by  many  fold  than  then. 

''  Do  you  remember  the  meetings  you  and  Edgar 


Ii8  Memorial. 


and  I  used  to  have  long  ago  ?  How  tenderly  I 
loved  you  both  !  We  will  meet  again  in  heaven 
where  we  will  recount  the  wonders  of  the  way — 
Mc  Kelly,  Sharpe,  and  Moore,  and — what  numbers  ! 

"I  pray  every  day  for  the  people  with  whom  I  have 
lived  in  my  ministry.  I  look  back  upon  my  pastor- 
al work  in  Franklin,  Wheeling  and  Baltimore  with 
great  humbleness  of  mind  and  at  the  same  time 
with  devout  thanksgiving  to  God  for  His  grace  and 
mercy  given.  No  man  has  ever  been  blessed  with 
kinder  Christian  friends  than  I.  God  bless  them 
all." 

Whilst  the  work  was  going  forward  as  usual  at 
Wheeling  the  attention  of  the  people  of  the  West- 
minster, church,  Baltimore,  was  attracted  to  the 
Pastor.  That  church  had  become  vacant,  and  as 
they  looked  about  for  a  supply  for  their  pulpit, 
the  name  of  Mr.  Dickson  was  mentioned  as  a 
person  admirably  adapted  to  their  peculiar  wants. 
The  sprightliness  of  his  style,  the  evangelical  char- 
acter of  his  sermons,  and  the  fervor  and  dignity  of 
his  bearing  in  the  pulpit,  had  all  commended  them- 
selves to  a  casual  hearer  from  the  Baltimore  Church, 
and  on  his  suggestion  Mr.  Dickson  was  elected 
Pastor,  and  a  formal  call  made  out  for  his  Pastoral 
labors. 

The  idea  of  a  separation  between  Pastor  and  peo- 
ple is  always  a  painful  one,  where  there  is  a  feeling 
of  love  and  confidence  between  them.  The  ties 
become  very  strong.  They  are  like  those  of  the 
family  relation,  and  cannot  be  sundered  without  do- 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheeling.  iig 

ing  violence  to  the  tenderest  feelings  of  the  heart 
Nor  should  such  ties  be  sundered  without  the  clear- 
est convictions  of  duty,  and  the  plainest  indications 
of  the  will  of  God.  In  this  case  the  struggle  was 
long  and  painful.  But  the  second  church  of  Wheel- 
ing had  become  strong  and  self-sustaining.  Per- 
haps the  work  was  done  there  ;  perhaps  there  was 
work  for  the  pastor  in  Baltimore.  Perhaps  others 
could  take  up  the  work  in  Wheeling  and  carry  it 
on  better  than  he,  and  what  seemed  appropriate 
work  was  opening  up  for  him  in  the  new  field. 
These  were  the  questions  that  were  agitating  the 
mind  of  Mr.  Dickson,  and  concerning  which  he 
was  seeking  light.  He  had  labored  with  the  same 
questions  before,  and  his  belief  was  that  he  had 
been  directed  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  he  sought 
the  same  direction  now. 

There  were  the  two  sides  to  the  question.  The 
work  in  Wheeling  had  been  successful  and  the 
Lord  had  blessed  him  beyond  his  most  sanguine 
hopes.  He  had  gathered  around  him  a  band  of 
Christian  workers,  such  as  are  found  in  few  church- 
es. He  was  devotedly  attached  to  them.  The 
session  had  met  and  talked  and  prayed  togeth- 
er so  often  that  they  were  most  tenderly  attached 
to  each  other,  and  the  Pastor  felt  that  it  would  be 
little  less  than  agony  to  leave  such  a  session  and 
such  a  congregation.  On  the  other  side  he  was  the 
Lord's  servant,  separated  to  His  work,  bound  to  go 
at  His  call,  and  should  be  ready  to  labor  in  any 
part  of  the  field  where  he  might  be  assigned  by 


120  Memorial. 


the  great  leader.  But  as  he  thought,  and  reasoned 
and  tried  to  take  in  the  whole  question  of  duty,  the 
impression  became  strong  in  his  own  mind  that  he 
should  go  to  Baltimore.  The  announcement  was 
made  to  his  session  and  then  to  his  congregation, 
and  they  were  invited  to  join  him  in  asking  the 
Presbytery  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  existing 
between  them. 

Unwilling  as  the  congregation  were  to  do  this, 
they  saw  that  his  mind  was  made  up  and  they  gave 
a  reluctant  consent,  and  the  relation  was  dissolved. 
This  was  on  the  twenty-third  day  of  October,  1856. 
At  the  same  time  he  was  dismissed  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  Baltimore. 

Once  more  the  home  was  broken  up,  the  great 
burden  was  rolled  upon  his  family  as  well  as  him- 
self of  sundering  most  tender  ties,  and  going  forth 
amongst  strangers.  But  the  entire  household  were 
ready  to  make  the  sacrifice  at  this  call  from  what 
seemed  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  preparations  were 
made  for  removal  to  the  new  home  and  the  new 
field  of  labor.  The  words  of  farewell  were  said  ; 
they  looked  into  the  faces  of  the  people  ;  hands 
were  pressed  and  the  little  family  were  on  their 
way  whither  they  seemed  to  be  directed  by  the 
same  power  that  guided  Israel  of  old  to  the  field  of 
their  settlement  in  Canaan. 

The  work  in  Wheeling  had  commenced  in  faith 
and  prayer,  and  had  been  carried  forward  in  hope 
and  courage,  with  manly  work  and  effort.  Those 
eight  years  were  years  of  seed-sowing,  trusting  in 


Pasto7'al  Life  at  Wheeling.  121 

the  Lord  of  the  harvest.  But  they  were  also  years 
of  wonderful  ingathering.  Sometimes  it  seemed 
as  though  the  winter  had  fallen  upon  the  church, 
but  this  was  succeeded  by  the  harvest,  and  pastor 
and  people  rejoiced  together.  The  records  of  the 
church  show  that  the  entire  pastorate  was  one  of 
successful  work  and  successful  enjoyment,  through 
the  blessing  of  God.  And  the  unrecorded  success, 
could  it  be  known,  would  have  been  equally  gratify- 
ing, as  the  results  might  have  shown  the  power  of 
divine  truth  lodged  in  the  hearts  of  men  and  bring- 
ing forth  fruit  after  many  days. 

One  strong  characteristic  of  this  pastorate  of 
Mr.  Dickson,  is  the  power  of  personal  effort,  rely- 
ing on  the  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  answer  to 
persistent,  importunate  prayer.  This  was  the  Al- 
pha and  the  Omega  in  the  work  from  its  beginning 
to  its  close.  It  throws  a  hallowed  light  upon  the 
entire  work  that  encourages  faith,  animates  hope 
and  strengthens  resolution  on  the  part  of  all  who 
would  be  wise  to  win  souls  to  Christ. 

The  following  letter  from  Rev.  James  I.  Brown- 
son,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Washington,  Penn.,  has  reference  to  the  Wheeling 
pastorate. 

Washington,  Penn.,  June  ist,  1882. 
Rev.  S.  J.  M.  Eaton,  D.  D., 

Dear  Brother  : — My  heart  promptly 
responds  to  your  request  for  some  reminiscences  of 
our  very  dear  and  noble  friend,  the  late  Rev.  Cyrus 


122  Memorial. 


Dickson,  D.  D.,  especially  covering  the  period  of  his 
connection  with  the  Presbytery  of  Washington. 

Simply  to  establish  my  right  to  bear  witness, 
not  as  a  stranger,  I  may  be  allowed  a  brief  refer- 
ence to  the  ties  which  united  our  departed  brother 
and  myself  in  close  sympathy.  He  was  my  senior 
by  about  three  months.  During  most  of  our  colle- 
giate training  we  were  contemporaries — he  in  Jeffer- 
son College,  and  I  in  Washington,  seven  miles 
apart,  with  the  difference  of  one  year  in  the  time 
of  graduation.  We  met,  in  intimacy,  at  the  annual 
sessions  of  the  old  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  until  the 
Master's  will  transferred  him  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Erie,  in  1848,  and  me  from  Redstone,  in  1849,  ^^ 
the  Presbytery  of  Washington,  and  the  Synod  of 
Wheeling.  No  one  of  my  brethren  gave  me  a 
more  cordial  welcome  into  these  new  relations  than 
Brother  Dickson.  Nor,  until  the  Autumn  of  1856, 
when  he  accepted  the  call  to  the  Westminster 
church  of  Baltimore,  did  our  intercouse  ever  fail  to 
be  that  of  mutual  esteem  and  love.  I  was  made  a 
confidential  recipient  of  his  intense  heart-conflicts, 
at  that  crisis  of  removal  when  he  felt  constrained 
to  follow  his  conviction  of  duty  against  the  strong 
protest  of  his  affections.  And  through  the  com- 
parative separation  of  a  quarter  of  a  century,  until 
his  death,  our  friendship  did  not  abate. 

But  in  this  statement  of  brotherly  relations, 
nothing  exceptional  is  claimed.  Other  members  of 
the  Presbytery  were  as  intimate  with  Dr.  Dickson 
as  myself,  and  there  were  none  who  did  not  regard 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheeling,  12 j 

him  with  habitual  kindness  and  admiration.  His 
sincere,  frank,  genial  and  playful  spirit  never  failed 
to  win  and  hold  their  good  will.  Both  in  public 
and  private  intercourse  his  delicate  regard  for  the 
sensibilities  of  his  brethren,  was  one  of  his  most 
marked  characteristics,  and  its  demonstration  was 
never  wanting  when  there  was  an  occasion  for 
smoothing  difficulties,  healing  wounded  hearts,  or 
reconciling  conflicting  opinions  and  policies.  Crav- 
ing sympathy  for  himself  he  was  ever  ready  to  ex- 
tend it  to  others,  coming  readily  under  his  burdens 
His  practical  common  sense,  manly  fairness,  polite- 
ness, kindness,  social  pleasantry,  polished  wit,  and 
abiding  friendship  gave  him  far  more  than  usual 
personal  influence.  His  companionship  was  both 
sought  and  valued  by  all  classes  of  persons. 

In  the  business  of  church  courts  our  brother 
had  no  superior  among  us,  and  few  equals.  Our 
venerable  senior  brethren.  Weed,  Mc  Cluskey, 
Stockton,  Mc  Kennan,  Hervey,  Scott,  Eagleson  and 
Wines,  themselves  men  of  ability  and  influence, 
heard  him  with  respect  for  the  clearness  of  his 
views,  as  well  as  their  eloquent  utterance,  and 
were  ever  ready  to  place  him  in  positions  of  trust 
and  responsibility.  Habitually  modest,  it  was  not 
in  his  power  to  keep  himself  out  of  the  front  rank, 
whether  as  chairman  of  important  committees,  as 
stated  clerk  of  Presbytery,  as  an  effective  debater, 
as  a  powerful  pleader  for  schemes  of  church  ad- 
vancement, and  as  a  still  more  powerful  pleader  for 
missionary   consecration  and  liberality.     And  even 


124  Memorial. 


then,  the  tact  and  power  of  administration,  joined 
with  platform  eloquence,  were  discovered,  and  often 
pressed  into  the  service  of  the  Master  and  his 
Church,  which,  in  the  development  of  riper  years, 
stirred  his  brethren  of  the  Church  at  large  to  resist- 
less urgency  in  demanding  his  abandonment  of  his 
beloved  pastoral  labors  for  the  crowning,  if  not 
crushing,  work  of  his  life.  One  striking  illustration 
of  this  force,  I  can  readily  recall,  in  his  masterly 
appeal  for  a  voluntary  division  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Washington,  so  as  to  unite  the  wealthy  churches  of 
the  city  of  Wheeling  and  others  adjacent  to  it,  with 
the  large  and  neglected  territory  since  embraced  in 
the  Presbytery  of  West  Virginia,  so  as  better  to  se- 
cure its  spiritual  culture.  The  statistics,  logic  and 
eloquence  of  the  plea  were  unanswerable,  even 
though,  in  the  vote,  the  reluctance  of  brethren  who 
had  long  dwelt  in  pleasant  unity  to  separate,  ap- 
peared. But  others  like  myself  have  attributed, 
in  part,  the  increased  interest  felt  since  in  the 
work  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  that  region  of 
need  and  promise,  to  that  very  speech. 

Dr.  Dickson's  service  as  a  preacher  and  pastor, 
during  the  years  now  under  review  has  an  abiding 
record.  He  was  more  of  a  speaker  than  a  writer. 
His  sermons  were  carefully  studied  with  but  little 
use  of  the  pen,  for  the  reason  that  his  mental  oper- 
ations were  too  quick  and  cogent  for  adequate  elab- 
oration on  paper.  But  they  were  Scriptural,  clear, 
evangelical,  lively,  variously  and  happily  illustrated, 
exhaustive,    pointed,    and    impressive.        Cultured 


Pastoral  Life  at  Wheeli7ig.  12^ 


minds    were   edified    by   them,  and   ''the  common 
people  heard  him  gladly."      If   the  fervor  of   his 
impassioned    presentations    of  Christ   to  perishing 
souls   now  and  then   offered  words  and  phrases  to 
the  censure  of  a  cold  criticism,  it  seldom  failed  that 
criticism  itself  was  swept  away  by  the  life-current 
of  thought  and  emotion  which  carried  the  hearer  into 
the  presence  of  the  Searcher  of  hearts.     Pastoral 
vigilance,  also,  fulfilling  its  purpose  in  family  visita- 
tion, personal  attention  to  the  sick,  the  sorrowful  and 
the  bereaved,  and  special  efforts  in  behalf  of  the 
youth,  both  in  and  out  of  the   Sabbath  school,  did 
not  fail  to  enforce  the  proclamations  of  the  pulpit. 
And  so  the  church  prospered,  believers  were  edified, 
and  souls  were  born  of  the  Spirit.     A  devoted  peo- 
ple clung  to  their  pastor  to  the  last,  and  followed 
him  with  their  love  and  prayers  when  he  was  gone. 
I  cannot  close  this  letter,  without  a  slight  allusion 
to  his  happy  domestic  relations.     I  have  been  suf- 
ficiently in  his  home  to  concur  heartily  in  his  con- 
fessed indebtedness,  for  a  large  share  of  his  useful- 
ness,  as  well  as  his  joy,  to  the  fine  discernment, 
poised  judgment,  affectionate  steadfastness  and  ef- 
ficient  co-operation  of   the    wife    who,  now  in  be- 
reavement, as  none  other  can,  holds  him  in  honor 
in   her   heart.     To   her,  to   her  venerable  mother, 
and  to  her  daughters — especially  to  her  who,  abid- 
ing in  the  parental  home,  has  been  permitted  to  be 
an  angel  of  support  to  a  blessed  father  now  a  saint 
in  glory — I  offer  assurances  of   sympathy  and  re- 
gard.    Very  truly  yours, 

James  I.  Brownson. 


VL    PASTORAL  LIFE  AT  BALTIMORE. 


He  preached  as  7iever  sure  to  preach  agam, 

A  fid  as  a  dying-  man  to  dying  men. 
Love  breathing  thanks  and  praise  T 

Baxter. 

'■''Therefore  watch,  and  remefnber,  that  by  the  space 
of  three  years  I  ceased  not  to  warn  every  one  night 
and  day  with  tears ^ 

Acts  xx.  31. 


VI.     PASTORAL  LIFE  AT  BALTIMORE. 


The  work  commenced  in  Baltimore  in  November, 
1856.  The  Westminster  church  had  just  crystal- 
ized  into  firmness  and  strength,  and  had  been  ex- 
periencing the  uneasiness  and  the  uncertainty  of  a 
first  vacancy.  Rev.  William  J.  Hoge  had  been  their 
former  Pastor,  and  under  his  ministrations  the 
church  had  assumed  form  and  consistency.  Now 
that  the  chasm  had  been  bridged  over  and  the  new 
pastor  was  in  the  field,  the  people  rallied  around  him 
and  gave  him  their  confidence  and  support. 

Mr.  Dickson  was  received  into  the  Presbytery  of 
Baltimore  on  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  November 
1856,  and  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Westminster 
church  on  the  same  day.  Personally  the  circum- 
stances of  his  commencement  were  not  favorable  to 
his  comfort  and  the  enjoyment  of  the  work.  The 
family  had  not  yet  arrived  ;  arrangements  were  to 
be  made  for  their  accommodation ;  visits  were  to 
be  made  elsewhere ;  months  would  pass  before  the 
social  circle  would  be  re-formed  and  the  time  seemed 
to  pass  slowly  and  heavily.  There  was  the  extem- 
porized study,  the  work  in  the  congregation,  and 
in  the  pulpit ;  but  there  was  not  the  home,  and  al- 
though the  work  was  entered  upon  vigorously,  yet 
the  result  was  that  a  feeling  of  unutterable  loneli- 


I  JO  Memorial, 


ness  came  over  him  that  he  could  not  restrain. 
He  even  began  to  doubt  whether  he  had  not  acted 
"  hastily  in  changing  his  field  of  labor,  and  looked 
back  with  longing  eyes  to  the  calm,  pleasant  home 
at  Wheeling,  and  the  many  friends  he  had  left  there. 

This  feeling  was  probably  the  result  of  two 
causes :  the  absence  of  his  family  and  the  con- 
sequent want  of  the  old  home  ;  and  secondly,  the 
re-action  from  the  terrible  excitement  consequent 
upon  the  removal  from  the  Wheeling  charge. 
A  temperament  like  his  is  most  readily  affect- 
ed by  causes  of  this  nature.  And  it  seemed 
to  him  that  he  could  hardly  be  reconciled  to  the 
change  of  circumstances.  The  same  violent  shock 
had  been  felt  on  leaving  Franklin  and  settling  in 
Wheeling.  But  in  that  instance  there  was  the 
presence  of  wife  and  children,  and  the  home  com- 
menced at  once,  and  was  but  a  change  of  place  and 
surroundings.  In  this  case  the  home  and  its  influ- 
ences had  not  yet  been  removed  to  the  new  field, 
and  a  feeling  akin  to  home  sickness  almost  pros- 
trated him.  In  spite  of  all  the  attentions  of 
friends  whose  hearts  went  out  to  him  in  sympathy, 
time  moved  slowly  and  heavily  and  the  poor  minis- 
ter had  the  same  experience  that  Paul  had  ''When 
driven  up  and  down  in  Adria,"  the  prey  of  the  Eu- 
roclydon,  as  he  waited  for  the  calming  of  the 
storm  "and  wished  for  the  day." 

A  letter  written  to  his  father  during  these  troub- 
lous times  will  show  something  of  the  trials  and 
disturbances  that  gathered  around  him  about  this 


Pastoral  Life  at  Balthnore.  iji 

time,  and  something  of  the  conflict  through  which 
he  passed.  It  will  also  show  that  the  minister  was 
not  alone  in  the  trial  and  trouble  and  heartbreaking 
that  grew  out  of  the  change,  and  the  breaking  up 
of  old  ties  that  had  grown  strong.  The  other 
members  of  the  circle  had  been  partakers  of  the 
trial. 

TO  HIS  FATHER. 

Nov.  1856. 
"I  cannot  tell  you,  with  my  pen,  the  pangs  and 
sorrows  I  passed  through  in  leaving  Wheeling.  I 
will  do  it  when  I  see  you.  It  nearly  took  my  life, 
and  I  am  by  no  means  over  it  yet.  Poor  Delia  : 
her  heart  was  torn,  bruised,  and  almost  broken.  If 
I  had  known  how  much  I  loved  them,  and  how 
much  they  loved  me,  I  perhaps  would  be  there  still." 

But  these  dark  months  passed,  and  the  light  be- 
gan to  break  in,  and  he  found  that  this  conflict  was 
with  poor,  disordered  nerves,  rather  than  with  eith- 
er spiritual  enemies  or  his  own  waywardness.  Yet 
the  letter  brings  out  some  of  the  fine  points  of  the 
man,  and  shows  us  in  what  direction  he  looked  for 
relief.  He  also  said  to  a  friend,  about  this  time, 
that  he  had  found  great  force  in  the  prayer  of  the 
prophet  '*0  Lord,  I  am  oppressed  ;  undertake  for 
me,"  and  had  made  it  his  own  continually. 

But  the  sky  is  not  always  overcast  with  clouds  ; 
the  sun  will,  ere  long,  burst  forth  in  its  beauty  and 
the  dark  shadows  will  depart.  Even  the  great,  ma- 
jestic ocean,   when  vexed  with   storms,  will  at  last 


1^2  Memorial. 


sob  itself  to  rest,  and  the  peace  and  tranquility 
will  be  beautiful.  So  the  troubles  of  the  new  pas- 
tor passed  away ;  the  clouds  were  withdrawn  from 
his  sky ;  the  great  ocean  was  calm  once  more  and 
all  promised  peace  and  contentment  in  the  new 
work.  During  the  first  days  of  January  of  the  fol- 
lowing year,  the  family  were  gathered  together 
once  more  and  the  home  was  established  in  Lexing- 
ton Street,  and  everything  put  on  a  cheerful  ap- 
pearance, as  the  minister  began  to  reproach  him- 
self for  his  want  of  faith  and  trust  in  the  goodness 
of  divine  Providence,  and  resolve  that  in  the  future 
none  of  these  things  should  move  him  or  interfere 
with  the  serenity  of  his  mind. 

The  study  was  established  in  the  quietest  room 
in  the  new  home ;  its  labors  went  forward,  and  the 
result  was  seen  in  the  earnest  attention  of  the 
hearers.  The  pastoral  visits  had  been  commenced 
at  first  in  company  with  one  of  the  Session,  and 
then  alone,  just  as  he  had  leisure,  or  as  his  warm 
feelings  prompted  him.  But  the  prompting  came 
full  often,  and  the  pastor  would  come  home  in  the 
evening  wearied,  and  feeling  that  he  could  not 
soon  undertake  the  work  again.  Yet  the  next  after- 
noon would  find  him  in  the  street  as  before,  meet- 
ing his  people  with  the  same  bland  smile,  and  the 
same  cordial  greeting  as  usual,  talking  with  them, 
praying  with  them  when  the  way  was  opened,  and 
striving  in  every  way  to  do  them  good. 

There  was  in  his  mind  the  remembrance  of  the 
old    days    in  Wheeling  when  such  power  was  felt 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltmzore.  ijj 

from  the  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  with  the 
sweet  times  of  revival  and  ingathering.  And 
there  came  over  him  a  most  intense  longing  for  the 
repetition  of  just  such  days  as  had  filled  his  soul 
with  joy  and  rejoicing  at  that  time.  And  there 
were  the  early  morning  hours  in  his  study,  while 
the  household  were  asleep,  alone  with  God ;  the 
reading  of  the  chosen  portions  of  the  word,  and 
the  wrestling  with  the  angel  of  the  covenant,  with 
the  resolution  often  and  often  repeated,  of  the 
Patriarch  at  the  ford  Jabbok :  ''  I  will  not  let 
thee  go  except  thou  bless  me."  And  there  were 
the  plain,  pointed  talks  in  the  week-day  meetings  ; 
there  were  the  meetings  for  consultation  and  pray- 
er with  the  session ;  and  what  was  most  encourag- 
ing to  the  pastor's  heart,  there  was  the  dawning 
light  in  his  own  soul  that  told  him  that  God's  bless- 
ing was  near. 

Soon  after  the  seal  of  the  divine  approval  was 
placed  upon  his  work.  The  Spirit  was  poured  out, 
and  the  people  as  well  as  the  Pastor  began  to  pray. 
Many  prayed  for  the  first  time;  others  who  had 
prayed  with  calmness  and  propriety  and  with  stud- 
ied phrase,  now  poured  out  the  genuine  feelings  of 
a  quickened  heart.  There  was  a  directness  and  an 
unction  in  the  preaching  that  showed  that  the  min- 
ister's heart  was  deeply  stirred,  and  that  he  was  in 
an  agony  for  souls.  There  was  a  quietness  in  the 
house  of  God  that  was  deeply  felt,  for  it  was  obvi- 
ous that  the  Lord  was  there,  moving  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  people  and  constraining  sinners  to  be- 


IJ4  Me7norial. 


lieve.  The  impression  on  every  heart  was  that 
God's  Spirit  was  present  in  unwonted  power  and 
that  a  precious  work  of  grace  was  going  forward. 

This  wondrous  work  resulted  in  a  greater  ingath- 
ering than  had  ever  blessed  the  church  before. 
They  were  from  all  classes  and  from  all  ages. 
They  numbered  over  an  hundred,  and  were  notably 
valuable  from  the  positions  they  occupied  in  the 
congregation  and  in  the  community.  There  were 
not  only  the  children  of  the  church,  the  young 
men  and  the  young  women,  for  whom  pious  fathers 
and  mothers  had  labored  and  prayed  ;  but  fathers 
and  mothers  of  households  ;  professional  men  ; 
men  in  business  and  in  politics  ;  men  of  influence 
in  society  and  capable  of  giving  tone  and  power  to 
their  new  convictions.  And  with  all  this  there 
was  mingled  devout  thanksgiving  to  God  for  His 
goodness  and  mercy  to  sinners  and  to  His  people. 
When  God's  people  wait  for  Him  and  bring  their 
tithes  into  the  storehouse.  He  always  pours  them 
out  a  blessing  beyond  their  expectations. 

The  work  was  permanent.  It  was  not  like  the 
morning  cloud  and  the  early  dew,  but  rather  like 
the  early  and  the  latter  rain  that  make  theea  rth 
glad,  enabling  the  mower  to  fill  his  hand  and  he 
that  bindeth  sheaves  his  bosom.  There  was  the 
fulfilment  of  the  promise  :  ''I  will  be  as  the  dew 
.  unto  Israel  :  he  shall  grow  as  the  lily,  and  cast 
forth  roots  as  Lebanon.  His  branches  shall  spread, 
and  his  beauty  shall  be  as  the  olive  tree,  and  his 
smell  as  Lebanon."     This  gracious  influence  con- 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  iJS 

tinned  through  the  following  year,  while  the  mem- 
bership of  the  church  was  doubled  and  a  new 
character  impressed  upon  it. 

There  was  a  very  valuable  Session  in  the  church 
at  this  time.  They  were  praying  men,  thoughtful 
men  ;  men  who  not  only  loved  their  pastor  but  as- 
sisted him  in  his  work.  Pastor  and  Session  worked 
together,  prayed  together,  and  God  gave  them  the 
unspeakable  blessing  of  reaping  together,  and  the 
harvest  was  plentiful  and  glorious.  The  result  of 
this  work  of  grace  in  the  church  was  felt  in  every 
direction.  "  All  departments  of  church  work  flour- 
ished and  all  forms  of  benevolence  were  greatly  en- 
larged. This  was  felt  at  home  ;  the  Boards  of  the 
church  felt  its  influence  and  the  reflex  influence 
was  felt  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  enlarging 
them,  deepening  their  sympathies  for  the  world  at 
large,  and  bringing  them  nearer  to  the  heart  of 
God. 

At  the  Commencement  at  Washington  College, 
in  September  1858,  Mr.  Dickson  received  the  hon- 
orary degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  It  was  the 
proper  and  worthy  recognition  of  the  worth  and 
value  of  the  man,  and  particularly  graceful  as  com- 
ing from  an  institution  that  had  been  a  rival  of  his 
own  Alma  Mater. 

In  the  Summer  of  i860,  Dr.  Dickson  made  ar- 
rangements for  an  extended  tour  to  Europe  and  the 
East  by  way  of  relaxation  from  the  severe  strain  of 
continuous  labor,  and  for  the  advantages  of  foreign 
travel.     Accordingly,  all  things  being  in  readiness, 


13^  Memorial. 


he  took  shipping  about  the  twentieth  of  June  on 
the  Cunard  steamer  Africa,  and  in  due  time  landed 
in  Liverpool.      The  journey  was   thence   through 
Chester  to  London.     Here  visits  were  made  to  the 
renowned   places   in    the    Great    Metropolis.      Old 
Saint  Paul's  was  a  prominent  object  of  admiration, 
with  its  memories  of  old  Sir  Christopher  Wren  and 
its  monuments  of  England's  dead  soldiers  and  sail- 
ors.     Westminster  Abbey  was  a  place  of  almost 
daily  resort,  where  he  wandered  amid  aisles  and 
chapels  consecrated  by  the  memories  of  so  many  of 
the  great  ones  in  England's  past  history,  poets  and 
orators  and  statesmen,  and  warriors  and  scientists, 
and  where  rest  the  remains  of  the  kings  and  queens 
that  mark  the  wonderful  history  of  England.     He 
regarded  with  very  great  interest  the  old  tombs  of 
Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  of  Elizabeth  and  Mary,  and 
the  Charleses,  and  Edwards  and  Henrys,  whose  his- 
tories seemed  to  reach  so  far  back  into  the  misty 
past !     And  there  were  pointed  out  to  him  the  old 
stone  of  Scone  on  which  Robert  the  Bruce  had  been 
anointed  king  of    Scotland,  and    on  which  all  the 
kings  and  queens  of  England  have  been  anointed 
since  ;  also  the  old  coronation  chair,  still  connected 
with  the  coronation  of  Royalty  to  the  present  time. 
Then  at   three  o'clock  he  sat  down  with  his  mind 
filled  with  these  great  memories,  and  subdued   by 
the  solemn  lessons  of    antiquity,   to   listen   to  the 
music    connected   with    the    evening    service.     To 
have  heard  this  music  is    to  remember  it  forever. 
The  deep  notes  of  the  organ  mingled  with  the  rich 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  ijy 

voices  of  the  boy  choir  go  up  to  the  lofty  ceiling, 
and,  echoing  from  arch,  and  capital,  and  deep  recess, 
seem  almost  like  what  we  imagine  the  music  of  the 
angels  in  mid-heaven  ! 

The  Tower  of  London  came  in  for  its  share  of 
attention.  And  in  passing  over  its  draw-bridge, 
and  walking  through  its  courts  and  climbing  its 
towers,  there  came  up  to  his  vivid  imagination  vis- 
ions of  its  mighty  past,  with  the  men  and  women 
who  were  prominent  characters  in  history,  who 
languished  in  these  prisons,  and  who  laid  their 
heads  on  the  block  still  shown  in  the  court. 
Among  these  were  Wallace  and  Charles  II,  and 
Lady  Jane  Grey  and  Raleigh. 

Passing  over  the  Channel  he  was  joined  in  Paris 
by  his  old  friend  and  classmate  and  fellow  laborer 
in  Baltimore,  Rev.  J.  T.  Smith,  D.  D.  Spending 
a  time  in  this  great  center  of  wealth  and  fashion 
and  taking  in  something  of  its  wealth  of  art,  they 
passed  south  through  Lyons  and  Marseilles,  where 
they  took  the  French  steamer  to  the  Orient.  Their 
first  landing  was  at  Malta,  where  they  took  in  the 
scene  of  Paul's  shipwreck  and  marvellous  escape 
to  land,  and  thence  to  Alexandria,  passing  by 
Crete  and  the  Fair  Havens.  At  this  ancient  city 
of  the  great  world  conqueror  they  first  learned  of 
the  troubles  in  Syria,  and  the  terrible  massacre  in 
Damascus,  that  might  interfere  with  their  projected 
trip  to  Palestine.  This  persecution  of  the  Chris- 
tians had  been  commenced  by  the  Druzes  that 
throng  the  sides  of  Mount  Lebanon,  and  was  taken 


ijS  Memorial. 


up  by  the  Mohammedans.  Many  of  these  Chris- 
tians had  taken  refuge  in  Damascus,  coming  in 
from  the  neighboring  villages.  In  that  ancient 
city,  at  a  given  signal,  the  Mohammedans  commenc- 
ed an  indiscriminate  slaughter ;  in  which  some 
three  thousand  were  supposed  to  have  been  slain. 

On  account  of  these  troubles,  and  the  positive 
danger  of  travel  in  Syria,  the  tourists  were  per- 
suaded by  Mr.  De  Leon,  the  American  Consul  at 
Alexandria,  to  abandon  their  trip.  This  conclu- 
sion was  arrived  at  very  reluctantly,  for  they  had 
calculated  very  confidently  on  seeing  the  Holy 
City,  and  walking  over  the  land  consecrated  by  the 
footsteps  of  Prophets  and  Apostles,  and  moistened 
by  the  tears  and  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God. 
They  had  hoped  to  have  bathed  their  eyes  at  the 
Pool  of  Siloam  ;  to  have  listened  to  the  echoes  of 
the  angelic  voices  in  the  plains  of  Bethlehem  ;  to 
have  bowed  down  and  prayed  in  Gethsemane ;  to 
have  entertained  sweet  memories  of  the  Passion 
and  Resurrection  of  the  Lord  in  the  church  of  the 
Holy  Sepulchre,  and  from  the  summit  of  Olivet 
to  have  gazed  up  through  the  beautiful,  blue  sky, 
through  which  the  Lord  of  Glory  ascended  to  His 
kingdom  ! 

Their  passage  was  already  secured  to  Jaffa,  but 
the  protest  of  the  consul  was  so  earnest  that  the 
trip  was  given  up.  The  journey  up  the  Nile  was 
extended  to  Cairo  and  the  Pyramids.  From  the 
summit  of  old  Cheops  they  had  that  wondrous 
view  that  takes   in  all   Southern   Egypt,  the  great 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  ijg 

Desert  of  Africa,  and  the  purple  walls  of  the 
mountains  of  Arabia,  and  from  which  can  be  traced 
the  course  of  the  Nile,  away  to  the  south,  lessen- 
ing as  it  proceeds,  until  as  a  mere  silver  thread  it 
seems  to  reach  up  and  take  hold  of  the  blue  sky. 
Then  they  gazed  up  into  the  grand  and  solemn 
face  of  the  Sphinx,  looking  out  into  the  desert,  and 
thought  of  the  profound  secrets  that  were  locked 
up  in  those  great  stony  lips,  and  questioned  him  as 
to  his  thoughts,  but  there  was  neither  voice  nor 
answer. 

From  Cairo  they  passed  over  the  land  of  Goshen, 
rich  with  the  associations  of  thirty  five  hundred 
years,  to  the  Red  Sea,  and  listened  to  the  dim  echoes 
of  the  song  of  Miriam  and  her  band  as  they  re- 
counted the  wonders  of  the  Lord  in  the  deliver- 
ance of  Israel. 

From  Egypt  their  voyage  was  north  and  across 
the  Mediterranean  to  Smyrna,  the  site  of  one  of 
the  seven  churches  of  Asia,  where  they  climbed 
to  the  citadel,  taking  in  the  view  of  the  bay  of 
Smyrna,  and  with  bared  heads  standing  by  the 
tomb  of  Polycarp,  the  grand  old  martyr  who  had 
sat  at  the  feet  of  John  the  Evangelist,  as  it  is  still 
shown  just  outside  the  city  limits. 

Then  the  voyage  was  westward,  and  up  the 
stormy  Adriatic  to  Trieste  and  Venice,  the  queen 
of  the  Adriatic, -that  wonderful  old  city  that,  rising 
out  of  the  water,  seems  like  a  city  on  some  other 
planet.  Here  amid  the  wonders  of  St.  Marks,  the 
Ducal  Palace,  the  Bridge  of  Sighs,  and  the  Rialto, 


140  Memorial. 


the  travellers  lingered  and  dreamed  and  took  in  in- 
struction until  time  would  no  longer  permit  the 
stay.  Thence  the  way  led  up  through  Milan  and 
Lake  Como,  and  across  the  Alps  to  Switzerland, 
and  up  the  Rhine  valley,  to  Paris  and  London,  and 
so  on  through  Scotland  and  Ireland,  and  then  back 
to  Southampton,  where  Dr.  Dickson  took  the 
Havre  steamer,  Adriatic,  for  home.  On  this  return 
voyage  he  had  the  opportunity  of  witnessing  God's 
wonders  in  the  deep,  as  the  voyage  was  a  very 
stormy  one.  But  the  great  billows  had  permission 
to  roll  and  toss  the  great  ship,  yet  not  to  destroy  it, 
and  under  the  beneficent  protection  of  His  care  he 
safely  reached  his  home,  on  the  last  of  September, 
with  a  heart  full  of  devout  thanksgiving,  and  great- 
ly benefitted  and  refreshed  by  the  tour. 

The  influence  of  Dr.  Dickson  in  Baltimore  was 
very  strong,  even  outside  his  church  and  circle  of 
friends.  It  was  his  lot  to  live  and  labor  there  in 
the  midst  of  dark  and  tempestuous  times.  For 
years  there  was  a  division  in  public  sentiment  in 
affairs  of  national  concern,  and  the  danger  of  con- 
flict and  trouble  was  very  great.  No  one  could  tell 
whither  this  difference  would  lead  or  to  what  ex- 
tent the  great  cloud  that  had  gathered  over  the 
land  and  over  the  church  would  reach.  Perhaps 
few  households  were  a  unit  on  the  all-absorbing 
question,  and  there  was  a  greater  or  less  differ- 
ence of  opinion  in  every  branch  of  the  church. 
Very  many  persons,  in  the  church  and  out  of  it, 
agreed  to  differ,  and  to  permit  each   other  to  hold 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  141 


their  own  opinions  in  quietness  and  peace.  But 
withal  the  times  were  evil.  The  danger  was  immi- 
nent. The  necessity  for  prudence  and  good  sense, 
and  above  all  for  the  fear  of  God,  was  very  great. 

At  such  times  the  position  of  a  minister  of 
Christ  preaching  the  common  salvation  is  a  most 
critical  as  well  as  a  most  important  one.  In  the 
Westminster  church,  as  in  others,  there  was  a  di- 
vision of  sentiment.  But  there  was  generally 
quietness  and  peace.  The  Session  were  divided  in 
their  opinions  on  the  great  questions  that  were  agi- 
tating the  country,  but  with  a  prudence  and  judg- 
ment worthy  of  all  praise  they  did  not  bring  these 
questions  into  their  official  relations.  They  were 
content  as  were  others  to  let  the  minister  hold  his 
own  views  and  convictions  of  duty  and  to  uphold  him 
in  his  ministerial  work.  And  so  the  matter  passed 
along,  the  great  storm  raging,  and  the  people  often 
full  of  fears,  yet  there  was  comparative  peace  in 
the  church.  Some  quietly  withdrew  to  affiliate 
with  churches  more  in  accordance  with  their  own 
views,  and  others  came  in  to  take  their  places  for 
the  same  reason. 

But  it  was  well  known  where  the  Westminister 
Pastor  stood  on  all  these  questions.  He  was  always 
faithful  to  the  interests  of  his  country.  And,  al- 
though he  never  put  forth  his  opinions  in  an  offen- 
sive way,  yet  he  was  ever  ready  to  show  where  his 
sympathies  lay,  and  how  he  regarded  the  principles 
of  truth  and  righteousness  as  bearing  on  the  com- 
mon duty. 


142  Memo7'ial. 


And  the  influence  he  exerted  by  his  quiet,  often- 
times silent,  yet  always  consistent  course  was  very 
great  in  regard  to  the  common  peace  and  common 
safety.  This  was  true  not  only  in  regard  to  his 
own  church  but  to  the  general  cause  throughout 
the  city.  His  judgment  in  the  general  was  respect- 
ed. His  prudence  was  known  of  all ;  and  his  un- 
swerving honesty  of  opinion  made  him  a  tower  of 
strength.  And  this  was  all  exerted  in  the  interest 
of  right  and  of  truth.  And  the  result  was  that  he 
assisted  very  greatly  in  maintaining  the  peace  and 
harmony  that  pertained  to  this  above  all  other  bor- 
der cities.  And  when  the  clouds  rolled  away,  and 
peace  and  brotherly  love  returned  once  more,  there 
were  fewer  breaches  to  be  healed  and  fewer  heart- 
burnings to  be  quenc'  ed  than  in  many  other  places 
where  the  danger  that  had  assailed  were  no  greater 
than  here.  The  consistent  manhood  of  the  man 
and  the  prudent  self-poise  of  the  minister  were 
prominent,  the  truth  was  maintained,  the  gospel 
was  preached,  and  in  this  way  God  was  honored  and 
his  name  glorified. 

Dr.  Dickson  was  not  often  sick,  yet  early  in  life 
he  had  the  supposition  that  his  heart  was  some- 
what affected  by  disease,  and,  from  the  sudden  death 
of  his  mother,  he  long  supposed  that  his  own  depart- 
ure would  be  sudden.  Once  in  1854  or  5,  after 
several  days  confinement  to  his  desk,  as  clerk  of 
Synod,  he  lost  consciousness  for  a  few  moments 
whilst  preaching  on  Sabbath,  and  quite  alarmed  his 
friends.     Again  in  August,  1868,  he  fainted  in  the 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  i^j 


pulpit  of  his  church  in  Baltimore,  and  was  unable 
to  preach  for  several  weeks.  This  was  the  only 
time  he  was  incapacitated  for  preaching,  by  sick- 
ness, during  the  whole  of  his  pastorate  of  thirty 
years.  After  recovering  so  far  as  to  be  able  to 
travel,  he  went  to  Oakland  and  spent  a  few  weeks, 
and  then  with  his  wife  to  Wheeling,  where  they 
had  a  most  delightful  visit.  On  this  occasion  he 
writes  thus  to  his  father : 

Baltimore,  Sept.,  1868. 
....  My  dear  people  here,  and  my  dear  people 
in  Wheeling  have  manifested  so  much  sympathy 
with  me,  and  showed  so  much  love  and  kindness,  as 
to  almost  overwhelm  me  ;  I  cannot  tell  you  the  half 
of  it  ....  It  is  very  pleasant  to  enjoy  the  love  of 
both  congregations.  May  I  be  thankful  to  God 
and  walk  humbly  before  Him  for  it." 

On  his  return  to  his  labor  at  Baltimore  the  tender- 
ness of  his  people  and  their  words  of  sympathy  and 
congratulation  were  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to 
him,  their  quiet  tones  as  they  spoke  of  his  recovery, 
and  their  expressions  of  joy  at  hearing  his  voice 
once  more  in  the  sanctuary,  more  than  compensated 
him  for  his  sickness  and  weakness.  This  prolonged 
indisposition  was  useful  to  the  pastor  himself.  Al- 
though naturally  full  of  sympathy,  yet  he  had  so  lit- 
tle experience  of  the  confinement  and  languor  of  dis- 
ease that  he  could  hardly  sympathize  personally 
with  those  who  suffered.  This  new  experience  gave 
him  a  new  tenderness  at  the  couch  of  affliction,  and 


144  Memorial. 


a  new  feeling  as  he  knelt  down  to  pray  with  the 
suffering  and  the  dying. 

And  the  work  went  forward  ;  sometimes  with  en- 
couraging tokens  of  God's  presence  in  his  congrega- 
tion ;  sometimes  greatly  discouraged  because  so  few 
came  to  confess  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Sometimes 
the  people  seemed  greatly  interested  ;  at  other  times 
coldness  and  languor  prevailed  until  everything  was 
unpromising,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  seemed  to 
be  bound. 

His  birthday  came  round  once  more,  his  forty- 
eighth,  and,  as  usual,  was  observed  as  a  day  of  re- 
view, and  of  renewed  consecration  to  God.  As  usual 
he  writes  to  his  father,  and  opens  to  him  his  heart,  as 
he  recounts  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  and  refers  to 
the  solemn  thought  that  he  had  spent  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  in  the  ministry  of  the  Word.  The 
following  is  the  letter  : 

TO  HIS  FATHER. 

"Baltimore  Dec.  20,  1864. 
My  forty-eighth  birthday  ! 


In  looking  back  I  can  see  but  little  except  sin, 

and  short  comings,  forgetfulness  and  rebellion  on  my 
part,  whilst  God  has  most  graciously  followed  me  all 
the  days  of  my  life  with  goodness  and  mercy.  To  day 
I  can  truly  say  'hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  me.' 

I  desire  to  day  to  consecrate  myself  anew  and 
entirely  to  His  service  and  glory  who  loved  me  and 
gave  Himself  for  me. 

More  than   half  my  life  has  been  spent  in  the 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore,  i^§ 

ministry  of  the  Gospel.  I  pray  for  grace  to  devote 
the  years  which  remain  to  the  same  work  for  the 
same  blessed  Master." 

But  the  indications  became  apparent  that  efforts 
would  be  made  that  might  call  for  the  services  of 
the  Westminster  pastor  elsewhere.  In  June,  1868, 
there  was  a  vacancy  in  the  Old  School  Board  of 
Domestic  Missions,  through  the  resignation  of  Dr. 
Thomas  L.  Janeway,  and  Dr.  Dickson  was  elected 
to  fill  that  office.  The  question  was  considered  most 
earnestly  until  August,  when  the  work  was  declined. 
The  Board  were  not  satisfied,  and  again  tendered  the 
appointment,  which  was  again  declined.  The  Board 
were  still  urgent  in  their  endeavors  to  secure  his 
services,  as  were  also  its  friends.  At  length,  after 
a  season  of  special  prayer  with  his  family  for  direc- 
tion. Dr.  Dickson  felt  it  his  duty  to  accept,  and  on 
the  seventeenth  day  of  August  telegraphed  the 
Board,  signifying  his  acceptance  of  the  office.  On 
the  following  Sabbath  he  announced  his  acceptance 
to  his  congregation,  and  asked  them  to  call  a  con- 
gregational meeting  to  unite  with  him  in  the  request 
to  the  Presbytery  for  the  dissolution  of  his  pastoral 
relation.  The  announcement  was  most  painful  to 
the  congregation,  and  at  their  meeting  they  resolved 
not  to  accede  to  that  pastor's  request. 

The  following  brief  extract  from  a  letter  written 
at  the  time  refers  to  that  Sabbath  service. 

"  The  service  was  very  solemn.  Poor  father  al- 
most broke  down  in  the  prayers  and  hymns,  but  by 


1^6  Me?norial. 


the  time  he  got  to  the  sermon  he  was  perfectly 
calm  and  said  just  the  right  thing.  He  preached 
first  on  the  great  cause,  its  wants,  importance,  etc., 
from  Rom.  i  :  i6  and  x  :  15,  and  i  Cor.  1:21  and 
IX  :  14,  just  as  he  often  did,  and  then  told  his  decis- 
ion, the  terrible  struggle  ;  how  he  had  declined 
four  times  ;  had  tried  not  to  go,  but  finally  did  not 
dare  to  refuse.  He  told  how  in  every  way  it  was  a 
sacrifice,  and  gave  charges  to  the  officers  and  mem- 
bers.    It  was  indeed  a  Bochim." 

The  Presbytery  met  at  Baltimore  on  the  eleventh 
of  September.  Just  before  going  to  the  meeting 
the  family  were  called  together  and  the  divine  di- 
rection sought  on  the  counsels  of  the  Presbytery. 
Dr.  Musgrave  was  present  and  pleaded  the  cause  of 
the  Board  at  great  length.  The  three  Commis- 
sioners from  the  congregation  gave  cogent  reasons 
why  so  useful  and  happy  a  pastorate  should  not  be 
broken  up.  At  a  late  hour  of  the  night  the  vote 
was  taken  declining  to  dissolve  the  relation  ;  when 
the  work  went  forward  with  great  success  for  two 
years  longer. 

But  the  eventful  year  1869  dawned — the  year  that 
was  to  be  fraught  with  such  wonderful  changes  to 
Dr.  Dickson  and  the  entire  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  two  General  Assemblies  met  in  New  York 
and  arranged  terms  of  reunion,  and  the  two  branch- 
es of  the  church  that  had  been  known  for  thirty 
years  and  more  as  New  and  Old  School  came  to- 
gether at  Pittsburgh  six  months  after,  and  amid 
general  rejoicing  and  glad  Hallelujahs  were  formally 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  i^y 

made  one.  The  Union  was  consummated,  and  the 
next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  appointed 
at  Philadelphia  where  all  the  benevolent  work  of 
the  church  was  re-organized,  and  arrangements 
made  to  carry  forward  the  work  of  the  Lord  with 
new  zeal  and  efficiency.  A  thank-offering  was  called 
for  in  view  of  this  auspicious  event,  and  responded 
to  by  the  whole  church  with  great  liberality  and 
cheerfulness. 

At  this  meeting,  on  the  nineteenth  of  May,  1870, 
Dr.  Dickson  was  elected  Permanant  Clerk  of  the 
General  Assembly,  an  office  he  held,  and  the  duties 
of  which  he  fulfilled  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
the  church,  as  long  as  his  health  permitted  him  to 
attend  its  meetings. 

Growing  out  of  this  re-union  and  the  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  benevolent  work,  that  of  home  missions 
assumed  a  prominent  place.  Each  branch  of  the 
church  had  its  Board,  or  Committee,  covering  sub- 
stantially the  same  field,  yet  working  without  fric- 
tion or  interference.  The  Old  School  board  had 
been  known  as  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  ; 
the  New  School,  the  Committee  of  Home  Mis- 
sions. At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly 
at  Philadelphia,  on  the  thirty-first  day  of  May, 
these  boards  were  consolidated  under  the  name 
of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  and,  on  the 
third  day  of  June,  Rev.  Henry  Kendall,  D.  D.  and 
Dr.  Dickson  were  elected  Corresponding  Secre- 
taries. Dr.  Kendall  had  been  the  Corresponding 
Secretary  of   the  Committee   of    Home  Missions, 


148  Memorial. 


Dr.  Musgrave  had  been  secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Domestic  Missions,  but,  on  account  of  age  and  de- 
clining strength,  prefering  to  retire  to  private  life, 
Dr.  Dickson  was  elected  as  the  other  Secretary. 

The  call  on  Dr.  Dickson  for  this  new  and  impor- 
tant service  was  made  a  matter  of  thoughtful  and 
prayerful  attention.  It  seemed  the  call  of  God  ; 
the  unanimity  of  the  Assembly  in  his  election ;  the 
satisfaction  expressed  by  his  brethren,  and  the 
church  at  large,  all  conspired  to  make  the  way 
plain  and,  soon  after,  the  preliminary  steps  were 
taken  for  the  dissolution  of  his  pastoral  relation. 
Accordingly  at  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Bal- 
timore on  the  first  day  of  July  the  formal  request 
was  made  to  this  end.  The  following  paper  that 
had  been  adopted  at  a  previous  meeting,  expressive 
of  the  feeling  of  the  congregation  on  the  subject, 
was  then  presented  to  the  Presbytery,  through  their 
Commissioner : 

"Whereas  our  Pastor,  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D., 
has  been  called  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
reunited  Church,  to  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Home  Missions  : 

And  Whereas  Dr.  Dickson  has  expressed  the 
conviction  that  the  leadings  of  Providence  appear 
to  require  him  to  make  the  personal  sacrifice  in-' 
volved  in  his  accepting  this  office  :  therefore. 

Resolved  : — That  we,  the  Congregation  of  the 
Westminster  Presbyterian  Church,  unite  with  Dr. 
Dickson,  in  requesting  Presbytery  to  release  him 
from  his  pastoral  charge. 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  i^g 

In  adopting  this  resolution,  however,  we  can- 
not refrain  from  expressing  our  sincere  regret,  that 
a  pastoral  relation  which  has  so  long,  and  so  hap- 
pily existed,  and  which  has  been  attended  with  so 
many  tokens  of  the  Divine  favor,  should  now  be 
dissolved.  And  we  embrace  this  occasion  to  bear 
testimony  to  the  fidelity  of  our  pastor — both  to  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church  and  to  the  souls  com- 
mitted to  his  charge. 

Alike  in  the  pulpit,  in  the  Session,  and  in  the 
Congregation  ;  in  devising  and  executing  new  plans 
of  usefulness,  in  cultivating  the  graces  of  his  flock, 
in  visiting  the  sick,  and  in  counselling  and  comfort- 
ing the  distressed  ;  we  have  found  him  *'a  work- 
man, that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed" — "a  man  ap- 
proved of  God." 

*'If  his  fidelity  to  this  congregation  has  suggested 
to  the  General  Assembly  the  propriety  of  calling 
him  to  a  more  extended  field  of  labor,  we  bow  to 
the  dispensation  and  follow  him  with  our  prayers." 

The  request  of  the  Pastor  was  then  granted,  the 
pastoral  relation  dissolved,  and  the  following  paper 
adopted  as  the  expression  of  the  feeling  of  the 
Presbytery  on  the  occasion  : 

"  In  complying  with  the  request  to  dissolve  the 
pastoral  relation  between  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson, 
D.  D.,  and  the  Westminster  Church,  the  Presbytery 
would  express  sincere  sympathy  with  the  congrega- 
tion thus  deprived  of  an  acceptable  and  valuable 
pastor,  endeared  to  it  by  a  most  affectionate,  faith- 
ful and  zealous  ministry  of   fourteen  years. 


1^0  MemoriaL 


The  Presbytery  consents  to  this  dissolution  be- 
cause the  appointment  to  another  position,  which 
calls  for  it,  has  been  made  under  peculiar  circum- 
stances, by  the  General  Assembly,  the  highest  Judi- 
catory of  our  Church — which  has,  if  not  absolute 
authority  in  the  matter,  yet  the  strongest  claim  on 
the  services  of  her  ministers.  And  also  because 
Dr.  Dickson  has  expressed  his  personal  conviction, 
that  this  is  a  call  in  Providence,  which  he  is  not 
disposed  to  decline,  if  the  Presbytery  will  permit 
him  to  accept  it. 

In  giving  this  consent,  the  Presbstery  would  ex- 
press their  deep  regret  at  parting  with  a  brother 
who  has,  during  his  connection  with  this  body, 
rendered  himself  so  agreeable  in  his  social  re- 
lations, so  valuable  as  an  efficient  and  successful 
pastor,  so  useful  as  a  Presbyter  and  so  important 
as  a  fellow  laborer  in  this  community.  " 

He  preached  to  his  people  the  following  Sabbath, 
and  placed  in  the  pews  that  day  the  following  fare- 
well letter  : 

**To  the  Westminster  Presbyterian  Congregation, 
Baltimore  : 

MY  DEAR  PEOPLE  I 

In  the  providence  of  God  the  long  and  tender 
relation  of  Pastor  and  People  is  dissolved.  It  has 
continued  through  nearly  fourteen  years,  ten  of 
which  have  been  years  of  vast  excitement  and  con- 
vulsion in  the  land,  the  Church,  and  the  world. 
Yet  *'by  the  good  hand  of   our  God  upon  us  "  we 


Pastoral  Life  at  Baltimore.  i§i 

'have  been  enabled  to  live  in  peace  and  harmony, 
and,  considering  all  the  circumstances,  in  great 
prosperity.  Let  us  unite  in  mutual  thanksgiving 
for  all  these  mercies. 

Nothing  but  such  a  call  as  this  from  the  whole 
Church,  cordially  and  unanimously  given,  would 
induce  me  to  leave  a  congregation  and  field  en- 
deared by  so  many  toils  and  trials,  to  change  my 
home  and  way  of  life.  As,  therefore,  our  separa- 
tion has  arisen  from  no  dissatisfaction  but  from  the 
voice  of  the  Master,  you  will  allow  a 'few  parting 
words  of  counsel  and  comfort. 

Now  you  will  at  once  need  another  Pastor.  Pas- 
tors are  among  the  Ascension  gifts  of  our  exalted 
Redeemer.  Seek  then  for  a  Pastor  especially  by 
earnest,  believing  prayer.  **Ask  and  ye  shall  re- 
ceive. "  **  Seek,  and  ye  shall  find.  "  If  He  has 
bereaved  you,  you  may  confidently  plead  with  Him 
for  another. 

In  order  to  secure  a  pastor  keep  together,  be  of 
one  mind,  forbearing  one  another  in  love.  Be  punc- 
tual in  all  your  attendance  on  weekly  and  Sabbath 
services.  Maintain  the  schools  which  have  always 
been  our  ornaments.  Thus  you  will  invite  and 
encourage  the  coming  of  some  true,  living,  faithful 
man  to  be  your  Pastor. 

Regard  yourselves  as  especially  called  upon  to  be 
faithful  in  secret  with  God,  and  in  your  families, 
and  in  the  congregation.  Uphold  your  Elders  and 
Deacons  and  Trustees  in  their  several  places  and 
labors.     In    sickness    and    sorrow    invite    them    to 


J ^2  Memorial. 


visit  and  pray  with  you.  You  can  very  manifestly 
honor  religion  and  the  Saviour  by  maintaining  your 
faithfulness  to  His  cause  whilst  destitute  of  a  min- 
ister. 

When  a  Pastor  is  found,  and  called,  and  settled 
be  kind  to  him,  stand  by  him,  and  stand  up  for  him, 
and  around  him.  Support  him  liberally  ;  let  him 
feel  that  it  is  not  from  constraint,  but  freely  and 
for  Christ's  sake.  Attend  constantly  and  prayer- 
fully on  his  ministry  and  strive  to  bring  multitudes 
with  you.  Empty  pews  have  a  sad  influence  on 
the  health,  the  heart,  and  the  usefulness  of  a  Pastor. 

With  precious  memories  of  the  past  and  with 
great  anxieties  and  hopes  for  the  future,  I  com- 
mend you  to  him  who  purchased  the  Church  with 
Plis  own  blood,  and  who  is  able  to  keep  and  com- 
fort you  and  to  supply  all  your  need — ^who  walks 
amidst  the  golden  candlesticks,  who  holds  the  stars 
in  His  right  hand. 

May  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  communion  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  be  multiplied  to  you  all.     Amen  ! 

I  am  most  truly  and  affectionately  your  late  pas- 
tor and  ever  true  friend. 

Cyrus  Dickson. 

Baltimore,  Md.,  Saturday,  July  2,  1870. 

This  was  the  close  of  a  ministry  of  fourteen  years, 
during  which  this  earnest  Pastor  had  stood  in  his 
lot  and  tried  to  do  the  work  of  an  Evangelist,  as 
God  gave  him  strength.     His  reflections  were  sol- 


Pastoral  Life  at  Balthnore,  /jj 

emn  and  his  thoughts  subdued  as  he  thought  of  the 
past.  There  had  been  the  times  of  gracious  revival 
and  there  had  been  the  times  of  declension,  when 
the  way  seemed  almost  blocked  up  before  him  :  there 
had  been  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds,  and  there 
had  been  the  winter  with  its  storms.  But  all  these 
seasons  had  been  accompanied  with  the  feeling  in 
his  deepest  soul  that  the  Lord  was  with  him,  and  that 
what  prosperity  the  church  had  enjoyed  was  from 
the  presence  and  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

And  as  he  passed  out  from  the  door  of  the  church 
on  his  way  homewards  there  was  the  feeling  that 
he  was  leaving  a  field  of  great  privilege  and  useful- 
ness, yet  the  reflection  came  to  his  mind  that  he  had 
looked  to  the  Lord  to  direct  him  in  all  his  official 
life  and  could  depend  on  Him  now  when  just  about 
embarking  in  this  new  field.  And  thus  closing  the 
labors  of  his  third  and  last  pastorate  he  tried  to  lean 
on  the  strong  arm  of  God  and  began  to  gird  himself 
for  the  new  work  in  New  York. 

Besides  his  general  work  in  his  own  congregation^ 
Dr.  Dickson  was  an  active  and  busy  man  in  the 
general  welfare  of  the  church  and  community.  He 
was  often  called  on  to  speak  in  behalf  of  the  public 
Charities ;  and  churches  of  other  denominations 
would  sometimes  invite  him  to  speak  in  their  Mis- 
sionary meetings,  when  they  wished  a  special  im- 
pression to  be  made.  During  the  war  he  was 
connected  actively  with  the  Christian  Commission, 
and  visited  the  Field  Hospitals  after  the  battles 
of  Antietam  and   Gettysburgh,   ministering  to  the 


154  Memorial. 


wounded  and  the  dying  of  both  armies,  the  Blue 
and  the  Gray.  He  was  Vice-President  of  the  Mary- 
land Union  Commission,  in  whose  behalf  he  visited 
Richmond  in  April,  1865,  and  spoke  in  its  behalf  at 
the  great  Union  meeting  in  Baltimore,  a  few  weeks 
afterward.  He  was  for  several  years  Secretary  of 
the  Maryland  Inebriate  Asylum,  and  a  member  of 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  ''Baltimore  Associa- 
tion for  the  Moral  and  Educational  improvement  of 
the  colored  people."  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  trustees  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey  from 
i860  until  his  death.  He  likewise  acted  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Re-construction  Committee  of  the  Old 
School  church  in  1870. 

With  all  these  cares  and  burdens,  he  always  strove 
to  do  his  work  well,  and  ''studied  to  show  himself 
approved  unto  God,  a  workman  that  needed  not  to 
be  ashamed."  And  how  he  succeeded  is  written  in 
the  memories  of  his  friends,  in  the  success  of  the 
work  in  which  he  was  engaged,  and  in  the  general 
advancement  of  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteous- 
ness. 


VII.    THE  SECRETARY. 


^^The  sands  are  mimberd  that  make  tip  my  life. 
Here  must  I  stay  ^  and  here  my  life  mnst  end'' 

Shakspeare. 

"/  must  work  the  works  of  him  that  sent  7ne^  while 
it  is  day :  the  night  conieth  when  no  man  can  work'' 

John  ix.  4. 


VII.     THE  SECRETARY. 


The  pastoral  work  was  now  intermitted  and  a 
new  field  was  to  be  entered.  But  there  was  no  time 
for  rest.  This  never  entered  into  the  calculations  of 
this  restless  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  The 
family  could  not  be  broken  up  at  once ;  the  home 
must  be  arranged  and  the  household  prepared  for 
the  change.  This  would  require  weeks  for  its  ac- 
complishment. But  there  was  no  time  for  delay  on 
the  part  of  the  newly  appointed  Secretary  ;  he  must 
go  forward  at  once  and  take  up  the  business  to  which 
the  church  had  called  him.  So  without  delay  he 
went  on  to  New  York,  leaving  his  family  to  follow 
when  the  necessary  arrangements  should  have  been 
made.  He  was  released  from  his  pastoral  charge 
on  the  first  day  of  July,  and  on  the  following  Wed- 
nesday was  in  the  Missionary  Office  in  Vesey  Street, 
girded  for  the  work. 

The  family  did  not  go  on  until  the  Autumn,  but 
many  Sabbaths  were  spent  with  them  in  the  mean 
time.  Dr.  Dickson  frequently  went  home  to  supply 
Westminster  Church,  during  the  time  of  its  vacancy, 
and  administered  the  Lord's  supper  at  the  usual 
time,  which  occasion  was  the  last  when  the  whole 
family  were  together  in  the  solemn  service. 


1^8  Memorial. 


The  office  at  Number  Thirty  Vesey  St.,  New 
York,  soon  became  the  scene  of  busy  preparation. 
There  was  much  new  work  to  be  performed.  The 
affairs  of  the  two  Societies  must  be  brought  to- 
gether and  harmonized.  Dr.  Kendall  had  been  in 
the  work  so  long  that  he  had  become  familiar  with 
its  details  and  went  forward  with  it  as  in  years 
past.  But  to  Dr.  Dickson  the  work,  as  to  detail, 
was  entirely  new,  and  it  was  not  possible  but  that 
he  would  become  nervous  and  chafe  under  the  cir- 
cumstances, until  he  should  have  sufficient  time  to 
learn  its  methods  and  become  accustomed  to  its 
routine.  But  he  did  not  know  what  it  was  to  sit 
down  and  become  discouraged  in  the  midst  of 
anything  he  undertook.  He  had  undertaken  this 
work  in  good  faith,  and,  relying  on  the  help  of  the 
Lord,  he  was  resolved  to  master  all  its  details,  and 
be  equal  to  all  that  pertained  to  his  official  position. 
In  a  little  time  the  seemingly  tangled  web  began 
to  unravel.  The  two  Secretaries  worked  together, 
and  were  mutually  helpers  to  each  other.  The 
strong,  vigorous  hand  of  Dr.  Kendall  was  equal  to 
the  portion  of  the  work  pertaining  to  him,  and  his 
long  familiarity  with  the  business  of  the  office 
made  it  comparatively  easy  for  him  ;  and  soon  his 
co-ordinate  in  the  office  could  take  in  and  manage 
the  work  pertaining  to  him. 

For  this  work  he  had  very  many  natural  qualifi- 
cations. He  had  a  quick  and  accurate  judgment : 
he  had  a  wondrous  sympathy  for  his  brethren  of 
the  ministry  ;   he  had  knowledge  of  the  wants  of 


The  Secretary.  i^g 

the  great  West  :  he  could  generalize  and  take  in 
and  grasp  all  subjects  connected  with  the  work. 
He  had  been  taking  lessons  all  unconsciously  to 
himself  as  he  labored  amid  the  hills  and  rocks  of 
Western  Pennsylvania.  As  he  had  sat  down  in  the 
log  cabins  and  at  the  humble  boards  of  his  people 
during  his  first  settlement  and  talked  with  them  and 
prayed  with  them,  he  was  learning  the  lesson  that 
would  enable  him  to  sympathize  with  the  people  of 
God  away  out  on  the  frontier.  He  had  a  knowledge 
of  the  wants  of  the  Missionaries  from  frequent  asso- 
ciation with  them,  and  an  unusual  grasp  of  the 
magnitude  and  importance  of  the  field.  He  had 
had  his  first  look  at  the  great  field  thirty-five  years 
before,  when  as  a  boy-student  he  had  traveled  on 
horseback  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  Mississippi  River. 
And  since  that  time  he  had  been  making  pilgrimages 
over  different  portions  of  the  same  territory,  mak- 
ing observations  in  regard  to  its  wants  and  with  his 
own  keen,  quick  eye  forming  his  conclusions  in  re- 
gard to  the  country  and  the  important' points  to  be 
occupied  and  made  strong  in  order  to  the  general 
good. 

And  now,  with  the  map  of  the  United  States  be- 
fore him,  and  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  the  list  of  the  missionaries  enrolled,  in  his 
hands,  he  began  to  grow  familiar  with  the  names 
and  locations  of  churches,  their  relative  strength, 
their  accessibility  as  to  the  great  lines  of  travel,  and 
the  probable  significance  of  their  future  history. 
He  became  familiar  with  the  names  of  the  Mission- 


i6o  Memorial. 


aries  so  as  to  be  able  to  locate  nearly  every  one  in 
his  own  particular  field,  as  soon  as  his  name  was 
brought  up.  He  made  himself  acquainted  with  the 
portions  of  the  country  that  were  settling  up  most 
rapidly  and  the  locations  that  would  be  most  import- 
ant in  the  future,  and  kept  these  always  in  his  mind 
for  his  future  guidance.  His  judgment  was  sound, 
and  in  all  these  matters  there  was  an  eye  to  the 
general  result. 

And  as  he  looked  over  the  map  and  remembered 
that  the  great  States  of  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  with 
portions  of  Colorado  and  Indian  Territory,  with  their 
teeming  population,  were  located  on  what  was  called 
the  Great  American  Desert  in  his  school  boy  days, 
and  then  glanced  over  the  new  region  of  the  South, 
New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  and  then  at  the  north, 
and  across  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific,  from 
California  to  Washington,  visions  of  the  future  great- 
ness of  the  country's  coming  history  would  burst 
upon  his  mind,  and  he  would  feel  his  spirit  stirred 
within  him  with  a  most  intense  desire  that  this 
whole  country  should  be  kept  within  the  sphere  of 
Gospel  influences,  and  that  all  the  institutions  of 
the  church  should  keep  equal  pace  with  the  settle- 
ment of  the  new  territory.  The  feeling  was  strong 
within  him  that  the  institutions  of  the  Gospel  were 
absolutely  necessary  in  order  to  the  peace  and  pros- 
perity and  safety  of  the  whole.  He  would  compare 
the  future  with  the  past  and  imagine  what  the  extent 
of  the  population  would  be  in  the  course  of  another 
half   century ;    he   would   think   of  the   sons   and 


The  Secretary.  j(,j 

daughters  of  the  churches  in  th7^^I7^;^W^;7th^ 
new  country ;  he  would  regard  the  incoming  tide 
from  all  the  countries  of  Europe,  with  the  numbers 
from  eastern  Asia,  and  would  be  almost  appalled 
with  the  greatness  of  the  work  and  the  intricacy  of 
the  problem  that  was  to  be  solved  in  regard  to  the 
final  destiny  of  the  Union.     And  when  he  felt,  as 
did  others,  that  the   only  ground  of  safety  for  the 
country's  future  was  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ,  the  importance  of  the  matter  of  estab- 
lishing missionary  work  everywhere,  throughout  all 
this  broad  land,  seemed  most  imperative 

When  his  mind  had  thus  become  fully  saturated 
with  the  greatness  and  grandeur  of  the  subject  he 
resolved  to  take  another  step ;  this  was  to  visit  as 
much  of  the  territory  as  possible  and  see  personally 
as  many  of  the  Missionaries  as  could  be  conveniently 
reached.     He  wished   not   only  to   see   individual 
churches,  hut  their  prospective  bearing  on  the  gen- 
eral work  ;  their  influence  in  the  present  and  on  the 
future ;  their  location  as  regards  the  great  lines  of 
travel ;  their  connection  with  the  probable  growth 
of  the  population,  and  their  influence  as  centres  of 
power.     He  wished  also  to  inform  himself  of  the 
Country's  growth  and  progress,  and  ascertain  just 
ni  what  Imes  this  growth  and  progress  were  advanc- 
ing, and  to  try  and  forecast  its  probable  growth  and 
progress  in  the  future. 

For  this  purpose  he  made  long  journeys  over  the 
western  field,  and  looked  over  the  prospect  for  com- 
ing work  and   coming  progress.     While  combinin<r 


i62  Memorial. 


these  tours  in  the  general  with  visits  to  the  great 
meetings  of  the  church  in  her  judicatories,  particu- 
larly in  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  he  yet  made 
this  matter  prominent  in  his  own  mind,  to  see  for 
himself  and  to  know  from  his  own  observation  just 
what  the  country  was,  and  just  what  its  probable 
prospects  were,  and  in  this  way  to  form  an  intelligent 
judgment  as  to  its  wants.  This  he  deemed  import- 
ant in  order  to  a  full  understanding  of  the  work  he 
had  undertaken.  At  the  same  time  the  other  de- 
tails of  business  were  kept  before  his  mind,  until 
the  work  was  well  in  hand,  and  an  arrangement 
made  between  the  two  Secretaries  as  to  the  proper 
division  of  the  interest  and  labor. 

Accordingly  an  extensive  trip  was  projected  in 
1871.  This  plan  was  carried  out  with  a  minuteness 
of  detail  that  enabled  him  to  see  the  work  in  its 
outposts,  and  to  come  in  contact  with  a  large  num- 
ber of  its  missionaries.  After  deciding  on  his  line 
of  travel,  and  arranging  as  far  as  possible  his  time- 
table, he  notified  as  many  of  the  missionaries  as 
could  conveniently  make  the  arrangement  to  meet 
him  at  their  nearest  point  of  approach.  A  personal 
meeting  of  half  an  hour,  or  even  of  a  few  minutes 
was  a  satisfaction  to  both  parties.  It  was  like 
bringing  the  poles  of  the  battery  together,  and  thus 
establishing  the  connection  between  the  office  in 
Vesey  Street,  New  York,  and  the  fields  of  labor  all 
over  the  country.  It  did  the  Secretary  good  to 
look  upon  the  face  of  the  missionary,  and  was  re- 
freshing to  the  missionary  to  see  one   so  nearly  re- 


The  Secretary.  .^ 

lated  to  the  Home  Office,  and  tol^^^T^^^i^^T^TZ;,: 
age  and  cheer  from  his  lips. 

This  tour  embraced  in  its  interests  Colorado  and 

Utah,  and  on  to  California  by  Rail,  and  stopping  at 

mtermediate  points.  Then  from  San  Francisco,  over- 

and  by  stage,  five   hundred  miles   to   Oregon  and 

Washmgton   Territory.     From    Portland,    OreCn 

AndT  All::  ''b'rr°  ^''^-''  '°""''  ^"^  Victoria.' 
And  If  Alaska  had  been   accessible,  his  adventur 

ous  spmt  would  have  induced  him  to  press  on   u„-" 

t.l  he  had  thoroughly  explored  it  with  its  wondrous 

bays  and  rivers  and  sources  of  wealth,  and  satisfied 

his  own  judgment  in  regard  to  its  future  importance 

The  return  trip  was  more  rapid,  yet  everything  was 

the  beS      ""''  f  °"  "^'^'  °"  ^he  great  fielS  and 
the  best  means  of  occupying  and  cultivating  it 

wJs''  tS/'"  •''  r™'^  "'^  "^^^  *°  ^he  North 

sTn    and  M  T  "^'-     ^''''''■'^^'  ^°™'  ^iscon- 

s  n,  and  Minnesota  were  explored,  traveling  from 

place  to  place,  where  possible  meetings  of  Presbytery 

or  Synod  might  bring  him  in  contact  with  the  mo  e 

or  wrl'"'°"  "'*  "'^°'"  '^^  ^°"'d  ^^ke  counsel, 
or  with  the  missionaries,  talking  with  them,  advis- 

.ng  and  cheering  them  in  their  work,  and  en;ourag- 

ing  them  by  assuring  them  of  the  sympathy  of  the 

entire  church,  the  deep  interest  felt   by  the  Board 

in  the  success  of  the  work,  and  of  the'imporln  e 

wav  tL  tr  ?  "'r'  ''^^  ^''^  ^"^^«-d-     I-  this 
way  the  Secretary  became  acquainted  with  the  field, 

earned  the  views  of  those  prominent  in  carryin.^ 

forward  its  labors,  and  made  himself  understood  b^ 


164  Memorial. 


those  with  whom  he  had  else  come  in  contact  only 
by  means  of  correspondence. 

In  the  early  spring  of  1872  a  trip  was  made  to 
Texas,  and  the  entire  month  of  March  was  spent  in 
that  State,  examining  into  its  wants  and  prospects, 
noting  the  progress  of  its  settlement,  and  seeking 
carefully  concerning  the  duty  of  the  Board  as  to 
making  it  a  field  of  labor.  This  was  undertaken 
in  no  spirit  of  aggression  save  as  against  the  com- 
mon foe  of  all  Christianity.  It  was  not  with  the 
desire  to  encroach  on  the  domain  of  any  other 
branch  of  the  Church,  but  simply  to  take  in  the 
situation,  and  learn  the  character  of  the  field  and 
its  claims  on  the  Board  whose  servant  he  was.  And 
in  this  tour  he  found  everywhere  a  most  cordial  re- 
ception. He  was  amazed  at  the  prospect  that  was 
opening  in  this  extended  State,  so  rich  in  all  the 
elements  of  wealth,  and  so  well  adapted  to  sustain 
a  dense  population  and  to  furnish  the  means  of  life 
to  other  parts  of  the  world. 

In  addition  to  this  his  far  reaching  vision  was 
not  without  its  view  of  coming  events,  or  prospect- 
ive unity,  and  the  consolidation  of  the  different 
branches  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  the 
movement  in  solid  Phalanx  of  this  and  other 
branches  of  the  Church  in  the  all-important  matter 
of  winning  and  keeping  this  whole  great  country 
for  Christ. 

Other  journeys  were  undertaken  of  an  extended 
kind  until  the  whole  country  came  under  his  person- 
al observation    and    he   became   familiar  with    its 


The  Secretary,  i6^ 

wants  and  had  a  minute  knowledge  of  its  possibili- 
ties. Then  from  his  office  he  had  the  whole  subject 
before  him  and  could  see  at  once  the  state  of  the 
case  when  appeals  were  made  for  aid  in  any  portion 
of  the  field.  Dr.  Kendall  had  had  something  of  the 
same  experience  in  other  years,  and  the  two,  labor- 
ing in  concert,  and  availing  themselves  of  their 
personal  experience  and  observation,  were  able  to 
form  a  very  intelligent  opinion  in  regard  to  the 
necessities  of  particular  fields. 

Another  plan  of  work  was  to  visit  the  Synods  at 
their  annual  meetings.  He  would  take  the  Minutes 
of  the  General  Assembly  and  ascertain  the  times  of 
these  meetings,  and  then  arrange  his  time  table,  so 
as  to  be  present  for  at  least  twenty-four  hours  at  as 
many  of  these  meetings  as  possible,  during  a  given 
time.  He  did  not  expect  to  be  present  during  the 
entire  meeting,  and  spend  his  time  socially  with  the 
brethren,  but  simply  to  obtain  a  hearing  and  then  go 
forward  to  some  other  meeting.  The  work  always 
seemed  to  be  urgent  and  the  time  limited,  and  as 
much  work  was  to  be  accomplished  as  possible  ere 
he  returned  to  the  office. 

.  His  presence  at  these  Synodical  meetings  was 
always  hailed  with  joy.  His  discourses  were  listen- 
ed to  with  interest,  and  the  result  was  always  to 
quicken  the  interest,  and  to  encourage  the  hearts  of 
ministers  and  elders  in  the  work.  His  aim  was  al- 
ways to  deepen  the  convictions  of  the  church, 
through  its  officers,  as  to  the  greatness  and  import- 
ance of  the  work  of  the  Board,  the  importance  of 


i66  Memorial. 


pressing  it  forward,  and  to  encourage  it  in  its  efforts 
in  carrying  forward  its  vast  and  responsible  mission. 

But  it  was  at  meetings  of  the  General  Assembly 
in  annual  Session  that  his  great  work  of  contact 
with  the  church  was  performed.  At  these  great 
convocations  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  representa- 
tive men  from  all  portions  of  the  church,  represent- 
ing it  from  ocean  to  ocean  and  from  the  lakes  to  the 
extreme  South,  the  impression  was  made  that  was 
to  be  felt  throughout  all  its  bounds,  and  a  stimulus 
received  that  was  to  be  a  power  and  an  influence 
throughout  all  its  membership.  No  one  who  was 
present  at  any  of  these  occasions  can  ever  forget 
those  electrifying  addresses  on  the  Home  Mission 
work.  They  were  recognized  for  years  as  the  great 
feature  of  the  Assembly,  and,  during  Dr.  Dickson's 
term  of  office,  were  looked  forward  to  as  one  of  the 
great  attractions  of  the  occasion.  At  the  delivery 
of  these  addresses  the  house  always  filled  up,  not 
only  with  the  full  force  of  the  Assembly  but  with 
others  from  the  outside,  who  were  not  generally  in- 
terested ;  and  there  would  be  profound  attention 
from  the  beginning  to  the  close. 

With  all  this  incessant  labor,  and  these  long  jour- 
neys, it  is  due  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Dickson  to  re- 
cord that  nothing  was  ever  drawn  from  the  treasury 
of  the  Board  to  defray  the  expenses  of  these  long 
tours  through  the  west.  In  addition  to  this  he  was 
always  extremely  liberal  in  his  own  personal  contri- 
butions to  the  cause,  and  during  two  years  of  his 
service  he  returned  one  thousand  dollars  each  year  to 


The  Secretary.  i6y 

the  Treasury  of  the  Board,  from  his  own  salary. 
He  was  extremely  conscientious  in  regard  to  his 
time,  and  also  in  regard  to  the  expenditure  of  the 
money  of  the  church.  It  was  to  him  a  sacred  trust, 
and  his  influence  upon  the  Board  and  its  determina- 
tions was  always  on  the  side  of  economy  and  the 
most  careful  scrutiny.  And  the  office  He  had  re- 
ceived at  the  hand  of  the  church  he  regarded  as  a 
most  sacred  trust.  His  time,  his  best  thoughts,  the 
energies  of  his  mind  and  of  his  body  alike  must  all 
be  given  to  the  proper  discharge  of  its  functions. 
In  the  same  manner  he  considered  the  funds  of  the 
church  as  sacred — the  contributions  of  the  poor, 
the  widow,  the  children — it  was  the  Lord's  money 
and  must  be  used  carefully  as  His,  and  for  His  glo- 
ry. At  the  same  time  he  was  not  parsimonious  in 
the  use  of  the  funds  in  the  right  direction.  Where 
the  best  interests  of  the  cause  were  concerned  he 
was  always  disposed  in  his  advice  and  in  his  recom- 
mendations to  a  wise  liberality,  that  would  in  time 
bring  in  ten  fold  to  the  general  treasury. 

The  first  appearance  of  the  New  Secretary  before 
the  General  Assembly  was  at  Chicago,  in  1871. 
He  had  thoroughly  mastered  the  details  of  the  office ; 
he  had  studied  the  field  and  had  taken  in  something 
of  its  greatness  and  importance,  and  was  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  magnitude  of  the  interests  com- 
mitted to  the  General  Assembly.  His  great  soul 
was  filled  to  the  utmost  with  the  subject ;  and  every 
feature  of  his  countenance,  as  he  took  his  place  on 
the  platform,  betokened  his  interest  in  the  theme. 


1 68  Memorial. 


Formerly  the  matter  of  Home  Missions  had  been 
regarded  as  important ;  the  field  was  a  large  one, 
and  *a  respectable  degree  of  attention  had  been  ac- 
corded it.  But  its  presentation  had  been  cumbered 
with  dry  statistics.  The  fact  was  set  forth  that 
many  places  were  destitute;  that  many  churches 
were  weak  and  struggling ;  and  that  there  were 
many  hardships  connected  with  the  Missionary's 
work  in  the  West.  The  General  Assembly  had 
listened  in  other  years  with  a  pious  kind  of  interest ; 
had  voted  on  the  usual  resolutions,  and  the  subject 
was  dismissed.  No  one  expected  to  be  interested, 
much  less  greatly  stirred  up  to  new  thoughts  and 
purposes.  But  on  this  occasion  it  was  very  soon 
evident  that  a  new  grasp  was  on  the  helm,  and  that 
a  new  vigor  was  to  be  imparted  to  the  work. 

There  was  no  half  apology  made  for  occupying 
the  time  of  the  Assembly.  There  were  no  dull  plati- 
tudes about  the  great  field.  The  new  Secretary 
plunged  at  once  into  the  subject  and  under  his 
vigorous  handling  it  assumed  a  magnitude  and  im- 
portance such  as  had  not  been  connected  with  it 
before.  It  became  instinct  with  life,  and  throbbing 
with  importance.  It  stood  confessedly  one  of  the 
greatest  of  the  enterprises  of  the  age. 

The  long  western  tour  of  1871  filled  his  whole 
soul  to  the  full  with  the  thought  of  the  coming  great- 
ness of  the  country,  and  the  importance  of  the  work 
of  the  Board.  In  October  of  that  year  he  met  with 
the  Synod  of  Erie,  at  Franklin,  Pennsylvania.  It 
was  a  large  meeting.     It  was  in  the  midst  of  the 


The  Secretary.  i6g 

brethren  of  his  youth  ;  in  the  Presbytery  where  he 
had  been  Hcensed ;  and  in  the  very  church  where 
he  had  been  ordained  and  where  the  first  years  of 
his  ministry  had  been  passed.  All  were  anxious  to 
hear  him.  The  spacious  church  was  more  than 
half  filled  by  the  brethren  of  the  Synod,  and  the  re- 
maining portion,  and  the  galleries  were  occupied  by 
the  citizens. 

The  discourse  commenced.  The  Secretary's  mind 
was  filled  with  the  grandeur  of  the  West ;  he  had 
looked  upon  the  majesty  of  its  great  Sierras  ;  its 
immense  plains,  its  fruitful  soil,  and  its  exhaustless 
mines.  He  had  in  his  mind  cities  that  were  spring- 
ing up,  almost  like  Jonah's  gourd,  in  a  night,  and 
the  wonderful  population  that  was  moving,  like  a 
great  wave  of  the  ocean,  ceaselessly  and  tumultuous- 
ly  westward,  filling  up  its  territory,  laying  the  found- 
ations of  great  States,  and  preparing  to  exert  an 
influence  that  should  greatly  assist  in  forming  and 
making  beautiful  this  great  country ;  or  of  marring 
and  deforming  it,  and  sowing  the  seeds  of  decay 
and  ruin  throughout  all  its  borders.  And  to  his  eye 
the  Gospel  was  the  only  element  that  could  leaven, 
and  purify,  and  save  this  seething,  surging  tide  of 
humanity.  And  with  glowing  cheek  and  flashing 
eye  and  animated  form  he  described  what  he  had 
seen  ;  the  mighty  barriers  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
powerless  to  restrain  the  westward  march  of  empire 
as  the  problematic  damming  up  of  the  Nile  with 
bullrushes  would  be  to  stop  its  resistless  waters ; 
the   golden   hills   of    California;    the    magnificent 


17^  Memorial. 


domes  of  the  Yosemite,  and  the  big  trees  of  the 
Calaveras — exclaiming  :  "Mr.  Moderator ;  the  clerks 
"at  the  desk  went  away  across  the  Ocean,  and  to 
**the  uttermost  end  of  the  Great  Sea,  to  look  at  the 
"Cedars  of  Lebanon,  when  we  have  in  California 
"the  great  Redwoods  that  were  mighty  giants  of 
"the  forests,  when  the  Cedars  of  Lebanon  were  in 
''their  infancy !"  ;  and  having  detailed  the  capabili- 
ties   of    all  the   lands    on  the    Pacific   slope   from 
the  Mexican  border  to  the  British  line)  he  said : 
"All  over  this  vast   sweep  of  territory  I  found  the 
''sons  and  daughters  of  our  own  home  churches. 
"Western  Pennsylvanians  were  everywhere,  whose 
"fathers  and  mothers  had  been  born  on  your  soil 
"and  nurtured  on   the   strong   Gospel  teaching  of 
"M'Millan,  and  M'Curdy,  and  Johnston  and  Tait, 
"and  they  were  hungering  for  the  same  Gospel  that 
"had  been  the  hope  and  joy  and  trust  of  their  par- 
"ents.     They  were  trying  to  keep  the  Sabbath,  as 
"it  is  kept  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  a  place  where  it 
"is  observed  better  than  in  any  place  on  the  face  of 
"the  earth ;    but  they  must  have  the  church,  the 
"ministry,  and  the  Sabbath  School,  or  go  back  to 
"heathenism  and  barbarism,  and  be  lost  forever ! 

"Mr.  Moderator ;  and  fathers,  and  brethren ;  go 
"home  and  wake  up  your  churches  to  the  import- 
"ance  of  this  great  work  !  Tell  them  in  the  name 
"of  the  God  of  your  fathers ;  in  the  name  of  the 
"Church  he  has  purchased  with  the  blood  of  His 
"own  Son  ;  in  the  name  of  your  common  country 
"and  its  coming  glory,  if  they  will  but  do  their  duty, 


The  Secretary.  lyi 

*'to  send  the  Gospel  throughout  all  this  broad  land, 
''and  then  pray  for  its  success !" 

The  Secretary  seemed  to  have  had  a  clearer  vis- 
ion of  the  coming  greatness  and  importance  of  this 
land  than  most  persons  even  engaged  in  its  special 
study.  He  had  studied  the  map  of  its  territory 
most  profoundly.  He  had  thought  over  it,  and 
dreamed  over  it,  and  studied  its  resources  and  capa- 
bilities untij_a  most  beautiful  picture  was  formed  in 
his  mind,  j  He  saw  the  mighty  tide  of  its  coming 
population  moving  westward,  surging  over  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  spreading  itself  over  the  region 
northward  and  southward,  cultivating  its  soil,  ex- 
ploring its  mines,  bringing  to  light  its  precious 
metals,  and  becoming  the  greatest  nation  in  all  the 
world's  history.  And  with  all  this  before  him  he 
saw  the  necessity  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  as  the 
only  power  that  could  mould  and  fashion  this  great 
country  into  symmetry  and  harmony  and  prepare 
it  for  God  and  His  service.  And  to  this  end  he 
would  have  the  Gospel  sent  to  every  new  neighbor- 
hood as  soon  as  it  was  established.  He  would  have 
the  Sabbath,  the  Church  and  the  Sabbath  School, 
and  God's  service  as  the  governing  influence  in  the 
establishment  of  the  country. 

He  loved  his  country  most  profoundly.  All  her 
interests  were  dear  to  him.  He  placed  her  flag  but 
just  below  the  banner  of  the  cross,  and  spoke  her 
praises  next  to  those  of  the  kingdom  of  Immanuel. 
Her  interests  were  next  to  those  of  Zion,  and  for 
her  he  prayed  in  close  connection  with  the  Church 


1^2  Memorial. 


of  Christ.  And  with  an  untiring  zeal  he  labored 
for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  and  the  success  of 
Christianity  in-  this  land,  as  lying  very  near  the  in- 
terests of  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  in  all  lands,  and 
throughout  the  wide  world. 

In  1873  the  General  Assembly  met  at  Baltimore. 
Again  he  was  at  his  home  and  surrounded  by  famil- 
iar scenes.  When  the  time  came  for  the  Secretary 
to  speak  he  was  wearied  and  jaded  by  his  duties  as 
Permanent  Clerk  and  by  the  tedious  session  of  the 
Assembly.  He  roused  himself  however  for  the  work 
and  very  soon  seemed  to  be  free  from  fatigue,  as  he 
declared  that :  ''This  work  of  Domestic  Missions 
"lies  at  the  very  foundation  of  God's  work  in  this 
''land  and  in  all  lands.  Mr.  Moderator,  I  have  the 
"most  profound  conviction  in  every  fiber  of  my  body 
"and  in  every  faculty  of  my  mind  that  the  salvation 
"of  the  world  depends,  under  God,  on  this  land  of 
"ours,  and  that  the  salvation  of  this  land  depends 
"on  this  work  which  we  call  Home  Missions — that  is, 
"the  evangelization  of  this  great  land  of  ours  !  I  know 
"that  this  land  seems  small  when  compared  with 
"the  islands  and  continents  of  the  earth,  and  that 
"this  population  of  ours  seems  small  when  compar- 
"ed  with  the  millions  of  the  earth's  inhabitants. 
"But  we  remember  that  there  was  a  time  when  the 
"spiritual  interests  of  this  great  world  seemed  to 
"depend  on  a  little  region  of  country  over  which 
"one  could  walk  between  Sabbaths  ;  and  that  in  the 
"plans  and  purposes  of  God  this  little  land  was  of 
"more  importance  than  Assyria,  or  Macedonia,  or 


The  Secretary.  lyj 


^'Greece,  or  Rome.  And  all  this  because  that  near 
"to  Jerusalem  there  was  a  little  hamlet  called  Beth- 
"lehem,  the  House  of  Bread,  where  God's  own  Son 
*'was  to  be  born  of  a  woman.  And  close  by  Jerusa- 
"lem,  just  outside  the  gate,  was  the  Place  of  the 
"Skull,  where  the  Son  of  God  must  be  lifted  up  up- 
"on  the  cross.  And  to-day,  our  land,  so  rapidly  de- 
"veloping,  has  become  the  Bethlehem  of  the  race, 
"and  the  Calvary  where  the  cross  must  be  elevated, 
"and  Christ  proclaimed  to  all  the  nation^.  This 
"land  has  become  so  powerful  through  its  commerce 
"and  institutions  that,  under  God,  it  promises  more 
"for  the  evangelization  of  the  world  than  all  other 
"lands  in  Christendom. 

"As  to  the  power  of  the  Gospel  in  moving  the 
"hearts  and  moulding  the  habits  of  men,  let  me 
"quote  this  incident:  In  1812  Gen.  Jackson,  whilst 
"engaged  with  the  Indian  wars,  found  himself  be- 
"leaguered  in  a  horseshoe  of  the  Tallapoosa  River, 
"and  in  danger  of  starvation.  He  sent  Dr.  Nelson, 
"then  an  Infidel,  under  guidance  of  a  Cherokee  boy, 
"to  seek  help  in  the  mountains  of  Tennessee.  On 
"their  way  they  passed  a  place  where  there  was 
"every  indication  of  peace.  An  Indian  was  at  work, 
"and  his  wife  was  hanging  out  clothes  to  dry,  and 
"both  singing.  Dr.  Nelson  asked  the  Indian  guide 
"v/hat  the  man  was  singing.  He  replied  :  some- 
"thing  about  some  one  hanging  on  a  tree.  It  was 
"the  grand,  immortal  Hymn  of  Watts  :  "Alas  and 
"did  my  Saviour  bleed."  And  then  the  infidel  saw 
"what  the   Gospel  could  do.     It  Vv^as   the  crucified 


174  Memorial. 


^'Christ  that  had  turned  the  savage  into  a  civilized 
**man,  had  built  the  cabin  and  the  fence,  and  had 
"planted  the  corn,  and  given  the  man  the  songs  of 
^'salvation  and  eternal  life.  And  all  over  this  land 
**there  are  men  just  as  savage  as  was  that  Cherokee, 
"and  you  can  only  put  the  songs  of  salvation  into 
"their  mouths  by  teaching  them  the  Gospel. 

"And  then  the  tide  of  immigration  must  be  met 
"by  this  same  Gospel.  Last  week  a  steamer  came 
"in  at  Sandy  Hook  with  thirteen  hundred  and  fifty 
"passengers  :  and  the  other  day  a  thousand  Chinese 
"landed  at  San  Francisco.  All  these  must  be  met 
"and  evangelized  or  we  are  swamped  in  the  great 
"sea.  The  Gospel  must  be  proclaimed  to  them  in 
"their  own  tongues,  as  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 
"And  we  must  have  men  to  preach  the  Gospel  out 
"on  the  frontier  who  can  take  in  the  situation,  and 
"come  down  to  the  circumstances  of  men  far  out 
"from  the  refining  influences  of  the  older  settle- 
"ments.  Out  there  you  will  find  men  who  will  call 
"out  to  the  preacher  in  the  middle  of  his  sermon  : 
"Say  Boss,  how  is  this  ere  ;  that  pint  isn't  clear,  you 
"must  explore  it,  Boss." 

"And  now  shall  not  this  great  Assembly,  the  type 
"of  the  Assembly  that  is  to  come,  arise  and  with 
"one  heart  pour  into  the  ear  of  the  covenant  keep- 
"ing  God  the  prayer :  Send  Thy  Spirit  down  and 
"keep  the  work  alive,  and  in  wrath  remember 
"mercy ! " 

Such  are  some  of  the  dim  echoes  of  the  voice  of 
the  great   Secretary  that  filled  the  ears  of  the  Gen- 


The  Secretary.  lyS 

eral  Assembly  as  with  the  blast  of  a  trumpet  and 
moved  their  hearts  as  the  trees  of  the  forest  are 
moved  when  the  mighty  storm  sweeps  over  them 
in  its  wrath.  These  addresses  will  be  remembered 
until  the  present  generation  of  ministers  and  elders 
has  passed  away,  and  their  influence  will  be  felt 
throughout  the  ages  to  come.  They  gave  an  im- 
petus to  this  work  of  Home  Missions  that  is  felt  to- 
day throughout  the  entire  church,  and  throb^/tn 
every  nerve  and  every  fiber  of  the  Christian  heart. 
In  this  department  of  labor  he  doubtless  performed 
his  greatest  work  for  the  church  and  for  the  com- 
mon cause  of  Christianity,  and  in  it  reached  the 
beautiful  culmination  of  a  life  useful  and  valuable 
beyond  the  privilege  of  most  persons,  for  God  and 
His  people. 

In  the  year  1877  the  great  Pan  Presbyterian  Coun- 
cil was  held  at  Edinburgh.  Dr.  Dickson  was  one 
of  the  Delegates,  and  embarked  on  the  Egypt  on 
the  sixteenth  of  June. 

He  never  enjoyed  the  ocean  very  much,  yet  he 
wished  for  rest,  and  in  the  companionship  of 
his  friends  the  time  passed  pleasantly  until  the 
green  hills  of  Ireland  began  to  appear  and  the  voy- 
age was  ended.  This  was  on  the  twenty  sixth. 
Ffom  Queenstown  the  way  led  up  through  Dublin 
and  Belfast  through  the  finely  cultivated  fields  of 
the  Emerald  Isle,  with  their  rich  associations  of 
daring  and  suffering,  and  then  across  the  sea  to  the 
Clyde  and  Glasgow,  and  on  up  through  the  wonder- 
fully beautiful  Lakes  of  the  North  and  the  Trossachs 


iy6  Memorial. 


to  Sterling  Castle  and  Bannock  Burn  to  Edinburgh, 
which  was  reached  on  the  thirtieth.  Here  the 
Great  Council  was  to  assemble,  and  Presbyterianism 
was  to  stand  forth  as  one  of  the  distinguished 
branches  of  the  Church,  and  a  witness  for  the  truth 
in  all  portions  of  the  world. 

It  was  a  grand  occasion.  Grand  historical  men 
had  assembled,  who  had  borne  witness  for  the  truth 
in  Christian  and  in  heathen  lands.  They  had 
crossed  the  ocean;  they  had  passed  over  the  burn- 
ing sands  of  the  desert ;  they  had  left  their  work 
for  a  little  time  to  meet  together  in  this  solemn 
convocation  and  look  in  each  other's  faces,  and  hear 
each  other's  voices,  and  pray  together,  and  bid  each 
other  God  speed.  The  place  was  worthy  of  the  oc- 
casion. It  was  where  heroes  had  stood  up  to  the 
death  for  the  cause  of  truth  and  for  the  cause  of  the 
Cross  of  Christ.  It  was  where  John  Knox  had  lift- 
ed up  his  voice  against  the  encroachments  of  super- 
stition and  idolatry,  and  where  his  dust  awaits  the 
dawn  of  the  great  Resurrection  morning.  The  As- 
sembly Hall  too,  was  historic.  Men  of  learning 
and  piety ;  men  who  were  great  in  the  conflicts  of 
mind  had  met  there  to  discuss  the  great  questions 
of  the  day,  and  the  contests  had  been  far  more  in- 
teresting and  important  than  the  jousts  and  tourna- 
ments that  had  rendered  famous  the  courts  of 
Warwick  and  Kenilworth  in  the  old  Baronial  days. 
Men  were  there  from  all  parts  of  the  three  king- 
doms ;  from  France  and  Germany  ;  from  the  Low 
Countries  and  Switzerland ;  from  Italy  and  Spain  ; 


The  Secretary.  ijy 

from  the  United  States  and  Canada ;  and  all  had 
been  interested  in  the  discussions  that  had  occu- 
pied the  attention  of  the  council. 

The  evening  set  apart  for  the  Americans  came  at 
last.  Dr.  Dickson  was  to  be  one  of  the  speakers. 
For  several  days  he  had  been  nervous  and  excited. 
The  thought  of  facing  this  concourse  of  the  very 
princes  of  thought  and  speech,  and  of  bearing  on 
his  own  shoulders  the  burden  of  fitly  representing 
this  great  object  before  them  all  was  oppressive  to 
him.  His  theme  was  to  be  the  Home  Mission  work  of 
the  Church  in  the  United  States.  After  a  modest 
exordium  in  which  he  seemed  to  be  gathering  up 
his  strength  for  the  great  effort  of  his  life,  he  launch- 
ed out  into  his  majestic  subject,  and  soon  took 
captive  the  entire  audience.  At  the  first  there  was 
the  waving  of  fans  and  the  almost  imperceptible 
buzz  of  a  great  assembly.  But  a  pleasant  illustra- 
tion at  the  outset,  and  fans  were  still  and  the  buzz 
had  ceased.  Every  ear  gave  attention,  and  at  times 
the  sturdy  going  old  lords  of  Scotland  cried  :  "Hear! 
Hear  !  "  Then  came  the  grand  descriptions  of  our 
country,  and  the  wealth  that  reached,  out  to  its  ut- 
termost borders.  There  were  pleasant  anecdotes 
that  convulsed  the  stately  lords  and  dames  with 
laughter  ;  then  there  was  the  stealthy  wiping  away 
of  tears  that  would  come  unbidden,  as  the  orator  de- 
picted the  scenes  of  missionary  life  with  their  sacri- 
fices and  their  solemn  responsibilities.  During  the 
entire  address  the  audience  was  held  as  though 
spell-bound  beneath  the  wonderful  eloquence  of  the 


lyS  Mefnorial. 


speaker ;  and  a  sigh  of  relief  at  its  close  showed 
how  deep  had  been  the  impression  made  upon  them. 
Then  the  storm  of  applause  that  could  not  be  whol- 
ly restrained  during  the  discourse  burst  forth  most 
vehemently.  And  as  the  meeting  came  to  a  close, 
congratulations  were  showered  upon  him,  not  only 
by  his  own  countrymen,  but  by  the  warm  hearted 
Britons  and  strangers  from  afar. 

Perhaps  the  highest  compliment  of  his  life  was 
paid  to  Dr.  Dickson  on  this  occasion.  It  was  by 
one  of  the  thoughtful,  educated  men  of  Britain,  who 
knew  men  and  who  was  accustomed  to  weigh  the 
writings  and  speeches  of  the  literary  people  of  his 
day,  and  remarked  on  this  occasion  that  he  doubted 
whether  there  could  be  found  in  all  the  realm  of 
England's  proud  domain  one  who  could  have  moved 
and  melted  and  carried  away  that  sober,  cultured 
audience  as  had  this  wonderful  American. 

During  his  stay  in  Edinburgh  he  was  the  guest 
of  the  Lord  Provost  of  the  City,  Sir  James  Pal- 
shaw,  Bart,  who  was  delighted  with  his  genial 
ways,  and  often  measured  his  strength  with  him  in 
the  joke  and  repartee. 

From  Edinburgh  he  went  up  to  London,  and 
across  the  Channel  to  Paris.  At  the  latter  city  he 
learned  of  the  railroad  riots  in  the  United  States, 
that  so  awaked  his  fears  that  he  resolved  to  return  at 
once  to  America.  In  pursuance  of  this  resolution 
he  returned  to  London,  and  embarked  on  the  steam- 
er Spain,  August  first,  and  on  the  twelfth  landed  at 
New  York,  made  a  hurried  visit  to  his  family,  then 


The  Secretary.  lyg 

in  Vermont,  and  on  the  twentieth  of  the  same  month 
was  at  his  desk  in  the  Mission  Rooms  once  more. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1879  there  seemed  to  be 
an  interruption  to  the  general  good  health  of  the 
Secretary,  and  some  of  his  more  observing  friends 
noticed  that  a  change  was  perceptible  in  the  vigor 
of  his  walk,  and  in  the  general  features  of  his  sys- 
tem. Heretofore  his  health  had  always  been  so  good 
and  his  physical  system  had  been  under  such  control 
of  the  strong  will,  that  it  seemed  as  though  he  would 
be  always  competent  to  carry  forward  his  work. 
So  strong  was  the  feeling  of  uneasiness  in  the  minds 
of  some  of  his  New  York  friends  that  they  proposed 
a  trip  to  Europe  with  his  wife  and  eldest  daughter, 
offering  to  provide  most  generously  for  all  expenses. 
But  Dr.  Dickson  felt  that  there  was  still  time  for 
work,  and,  thinking  that  the  cares  of  the  Office  were 
just  then  pressing,  declined  the  generous  offer  of 
his  friends  with  many  thanks. 

The  family  knowing  his  devotion  to  his  work 
were  inclined  to  think  that  even  should  he  under- 
take the  journey  he  would  carry  the  cares  and  anxi- 
eties with  him,  and  so  obtain  little  benefit  from  the 
trip.  The  Board  of  Missions  were  very  thoughtful 
and  very  kind,  and  passed  a  resolution,  relieving 
him  from  work  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  make 
this  or  any  other  journey  he  might  wish  to  under- 
take. All  this  moved  him  with  the  feeling  of  their 
kindness  and  sympathy,  and  to  express  himself  in 
terms  of  very  strong  gratitude  and  thankfulness. 
The  following  is  the  Resolution  of  the  Board  : 


i8o  Memorial. 


New  York,  Jan'y.  14,  1880. 

The  following  resolution  was  unanimously  adopt- 
ed by  the  Board  at  its  meeting,  yesterday,  January 
13,  1880. 

Resolved  :  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Dickson  be  grant- 
ed leave  of  absence  from  the  office  as  long  as  the 
state  of  his  health  may  require  it,  and  that  he  be  af- 
fectionately urged  to  avail  himself  of  this  as  due  to 
himself,  his  family  and  the  Board. 

O.  E.  Boyd. 

Rec.  Sec'y. 

-  A  few  months  after  this  the  meeting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  took  place  at  Madison,  Wisconsin. 
Dr.  Dickson  had  not  been  well,  and  to  his  friends 
the  time  seemed  approaching  when  the  labor  and 
care  must  cease.  The  shadows  had  been  falling 
even  around  the  Secretary's  desk.  They  had  been 
lengthening  even  as  he  had  written  those  inspiriting 
letters  to  the  Missionaries  in  the  west.  The  eye  of 
the  officer  was  not  becoming  dim,  but  his  natural 
force  was  abating.  He  was  not  like  the  mighty 
Lawgiver  of  the  tribes,  strong  and  vigorous  to  the 
last.  That  finely  organized  brain,  the  home  of  great 
thoughts,  was  beginning  to  give  way.  That  strong- 
ly knit  frame  was  sympathizing  with  the  weary  mind. 
A  sense  of  unutterable  weariness  had  begun  to  creep 
over  him.  There  came  the  sleep  of  the  night,  but 
there  was  still  languor  in  the  morning,  and  it  was 
evident  that  the  system  had  been  taxed  beyond  its 
strength.     There  was  the  strong  will,  the  determin- 


The  Secretary.  i8i 

ed  effort,  and  the  earnest  feeling  of  duty,  but  there 
was  wanting  the  actual  physical  ability  to  put  forth 
the  effort. 

To  his  friends  there  came  the  painful  conviction 
that  he  was  breaking  down  prematurely.  He  walk- 
ed like  a  man  tottering  beneath  invisible  burdens. 
Something  of  the  old  vivacity  was  leaving  him: 
something  of  the  old  sparkle  was  fading  from  his 
eye,  and  his  thoughts  would  occasionally  seem  to 
be  far  away.  He  did  not  lose  his  interest  in  the 
work.  He  felt  its  importance  more  than  ever.  He 
did  not  fail  in  any  of  the  duties  pertaining  to  that 
work,  but  he  labored  under  difficulties  that  he  could 
not  explain  to  himself,  until  at  last  the  conviction 
pressed  upon  his  own  mind  that  disease  was  at  work 
in  his  system. 

Laboring  under  this  conviction  he  made  a  visit 
to  his  physician  and  former  Elder,  in  Baltimore, 
Dr.  Wilson,  a  most  watchful  and  devoted  friend. 
The  Doctor  had  been  watching  him  with  a  most 
painful  interest,  knowing  the  peculiar  nature  of  his 
constitution,  and  on  this  occasion  advised  him 
strongly,  almost  importunately,  to  cease  his  work  at 
once,  even  before  the  approaching  meeting  of  the 
General  Assembly,  and  even  not  to  attend  the  meet- 
ing of  that  body.  His  practised  judgment  and 
skilful  eye  took  in  the  situation  at  once,  and  satis- 
fied him  that  there  was  no  time  to  lose.  But  the 
Secretary  thought  that  there  was  still  time  to  labor 
and   that   the  work   must   go  forward   even   in  the 


i82  Memorial, 


midst  of  languor  and  weariness.  The  time  he  had 
set  for  his  term  of  service  was  not  yet  up.  He  had 
assigned  ten  years  of  labor  for  the  Board,  and  hoped 
for  a  few  years  then  of  quietness  and  peace  in 
some  pleasant  home.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  too, 
that  his  friend,  Dr.  Wilson,  had  advised  him  in  1868, 
when  he  had  the  subject  of  accepting  the  office  of 
Secretary  under  consideration,  that  he  would  not 
live  over  ten  years  if  he  entered  the  service  of  the 
Board. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  Assembly  met 
at  Madison.  Dr.  Dickson  was  in  his  place  as  Per- 
manent Clerk.  The  matter  of  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions came  up,  and  the  usual  speech  was  expected, 
but  the  general  expectation  was  disappointed.  He 
was  not  able  to  make  the  effort.  The  strong  will 
was  there,  the  earnest  zeal,  and  the  purpose,  but 
physical  inability  precluded  the  attempt.  He  could 
only  arise  and  say :  that  he  must  beg  to  be  excused 
as  he  felt  strangely  unwell,  a  feeling  altogether  new 
to  him  as  he  had  heretofore  always  been  so  well 
and  so  strong. 

A  feeling  of  sadness  pervaded  the  Assembly.  It 
was  evident  to  all  that  his  great  work  was  coming 
to  a  close.  The  strong  staff  was  breaking.  The 
pressure  had  been  too  great,  and  the  strong  man 
was  yielding  to  its  power.  And  the  whole  church, 
speaking  through  that  Assembly,  directed  that  the 
work  should  be  laid  down  for  a  year  to  afford  time 
for  rest,  and  possible  recuperation,  if  it  should  be 


The  Sen^etary.  i8j 

the  will  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  to  pre- 
serve him  for  further  usefulness.  The  following  is 
the  action  of  the  Assembly. 

It  seems  to  your  Committee  to  be  their  duty  to 
inform  the  Assembly,  that  the  health  of  one  of  our 
Secretaries,  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson  D.  D,,  has  become 
impaired  in  the  course  of  his  ten  years  incessant 
and  self-denying  labors  in  the  service  of  the  Board. 
We  ask  the  Assembly  to  express  their  warmest 
Christian  sympathy  with  Secretary  Dickson  in  this 
affliction  ;  and  in  the  hope  that  a  season  of  rest  may 
be  blessed  to  the  recovery  of  his  health,  and  to  his 
return  to  the  duties  of  his  office,  we  unanimously 
recommend,  that  the  Board  be  directed  to  give  him 
leave  of  absence  until  the  next  Assembly,  and  to 
continue  his  salary  for  that  time." 

The  work  was  now  interrupted.  The  burden  was 
laid  down,  but  with  regret,  for  no  laborer  loved  his 
work  better  than  he,  though  it  was  slowly  wearing 
soul  and  body  asunder.  It  had  become  to  him  a 
second  nature  to  survey  the  field  ;  take  in  its  great- 
ness ;  lay  plans  for  its  cultivation  ;  encourage  the 
laborers,  and  speak  words  of  cheer  and  strength  to 
the  Church  ;  and  it  was  a  most  grievous  sacrifice  to 
lay  it  down. 

The  following  letter  from  Rev.  George  Norcross 
D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 
Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  with  reference  to  Dr.  Dick- 
son's work  in  the  Secretary's  office,  will  be  gladly 
read  and  appreciated : 


iS^  Me77iorial. 


"The  Manse,  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 

Carlisle,  Penn.,  June  2"^,  1882. 
Rev.  Dr.  Eaton  : 

You  have  asked  for  my  recollections  of  our 
friend  in  his  relations  to  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions. It  was  my  privilege  to  be  a  member  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  1871,  which  met  in  the  city  of 
Chicago.  I  was  present  when  he  made  his  first 
speech  in  that  body  as  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions.  The  financial  statement  of  the 
condition  of  the  Board  had  been  made  by  his  associ- 
ate. Dr.  Kendall,  in  a  very  clear,  strong  speech,  but 
without  much  appeal  to  the  emotions  of  his  audi- 
tors. Dr.  Dickson  told  me  afterwards  that  he  had 
not  intended  to  say  anything ;  but  while  his  col- 
league was  presenting  the  subject,  the  inspiration 
of  discourse  came  upon  him,  and  when  the  opportu- 
nity was  offered,  he  arose  and  began  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  oratorical  efforts  it  has  ever  been 
my  privilege  to  hear.  Plainly  impromptu,  glowing 
with  emotion,  sparkling  with  wit,  and  surcharged 
with  humor,  the  wonderful  strain  of  his  oratory  took 
its  way.  It  was  a  series  of  surprises ;  a  resistless 
torrent  bearing  on  its  bosom  in  whirling  eddies  the 
most  wonderful  and  thrilling  combinations.  Though 
it  was  near  the  hour  of  adjournment  for  the  morn- 
ing session,  and  all  were  weary  and  anxious  to  be 
away,  in  a  few  moments  the  audience  was  comple- 
tery  electrified.  Many  who  had  arisen  to  leave  the 
room  when  he  began  were  arrested  and  brought 
back  ;  crowds  came  in  from  the  lobbies  and  the  ves- 


The  Secretary.  i8§ 


tibule  and  gathered  around  the  speaker  in  rapt  at- 
tention. At  times  a  perfect  storm  of  excitement 
swept  over  the  house,  and  the  audience  passed  re- 
peatedly from  laughter  to  tears  and  from  tears  to 
laughter  under  the  sway  of  his  magical  gift  of  un- 
studied eloquence.  The  usually  staid  assembly  be- 
came one  of  the  most  animated  scenes  ;  men  rose 
in  their  places  and  cheered,  and  ladies  in  the  gal- 
leries waved  their  handkerchiefs  and  laughed  and 
cried.  When  in  the  full  tide  of  discourse,  in  the 
midst  of  a  very  telling  passage  he  made  some  tri- 
fling slip  in  the  order  of  his  words,  which  amounted 
almost  to  an  Irish  bull,  but  with  an  Irishman's 
ready  humor  he  righted  himself,  and  went  on,  to  the 
infinite  delight  of  his  admiring  and  sympathetic 
audience.  It  was  a  scene  never  to  be  forgotten  by 
any  who  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  present.  It 
was  clear  to  all  that  a  new  power  had  come  to  the 
front  in  the  Home  Mission  work  of  the  re-united 
Presbyterian  church.  The  two  Secretaries  were 
manifestly  the  complements  of  each  other,  and  every 
one  felt  that  they  were  "the  right  men  in  the  right 
places." 

I  shall  never  forget  the  summer  of  1874,  much  of 
which  I  spent  in  his  society  in  New  York.  A  heavy 
debt  was  resting  on  the  Board.  It  had  been  hoped 
that  some  relief  would  have  come  from  the  General 
Assembly  of  that  year,  as  the  Assembly  of  the  year 
before  had  generously  come  to  the  aid  of  the  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions  ;  but  nothing  efficient  was  done, 
and  the  ungracious  task  was  laid  upon  the  Board  of 


i86  Memorial, 


cutting  down  the  appropriations  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sionaries. The  Board  could  not  distribute  funds 
that  it  had  not  received,  and  common  honesty  re- 
quired that  it  should  promise  no  more  than  it  could 
pay.  It  was  intensely  warm  weather  ;  Dr.  Kendall 
was  absent  from  the  city  because  of  ill  health,  and 
the  burden  of  writing  to  the  needy  ministers  under 
the  care  of  the  Board  the  unwelcome  news  of  re- 
trenchment fell  upon  the  remaining  Secretary.  A 
great  number  of  similar  letters  must  be  written. 
Everywhere  they  would  carry  the  sorrow  of  disap- 
pointment, and  in  many  cases  the  pinching  of  want. 
To  write  these  letters  was  a  daily  torture  to  our  be- 
loved friend.  In  imagination  he  followed  everyone 
into  the  home  of  a  Missionary,  and  saw  the  gloom 
which  it  shed  over  his  household.  His  sympathet- 
ic nature  was  burdened  by  the  thought  of  the  anx- 
ious men,  the  weary  women,  and  the  needy  children 
to  whom  his  official  letter  would  be  indeed  sad  tid- 
ings. I  have  seen  him  fairly  groan  in  spirit  as  he 
leaned  over  his  ungracious  task.  Nothing  but  dire 
necessity  compelled  him  to  go  on  with  the  work, 
and  yet  he  seemed  to  feel  that  he  must  personally 
write  to  every  missionary,  that  he  might  express  the 
tenderness  of  his  fraternal  sympathy,  and  explain  to 
him  officially  the  miserable  necessities  of  the  Board. 
These  scenes  were  brought  back  most  forcibly  when 
Dr.  Roberts,  his  successor,  remarked,  pointing  to 
his  coffi.n,  as  it  rested  at  the  foot  of  Westminster 
pulpit  :  There  lies  Cyrus  Dickson,  the  victim  of  a 
sympathetic  heart !  " 


The  Secretary.  i8y 

In  the  summer  of  1877,  on  the  sixteenth  of  June, 
Dr.  Dickson  sailed  from  the  port  of  New  York  on 
the  steamer  Egypt,  of  the  National  line,  for  Liver- 
pool. It  was  my  privilege  to  be  one  of  the  party 
whose  faces  were  set  toward  the  first  General  Pres- 
byterian Council,  which  was  to  meet  in  the  city  of 
Edinburgh,  the  ancient  home  of  Presbyterianism. 
During  the  sea  voyage  Dr.  Dickson,  who  had 
left  his  work  in  a  jaded  condition,  sought  se- 
clusion rather  than  society.  But  when  he  reach- 
ed the  heroic  scenes  of  Scottish  story,  and  met 
the  representatives  of  a  world-wide  church,  his  ar- 
dent nature  became  charged  with  enthusiasm,  and 
his  speech  on  Home  Mission  work  in  America  was 
one  of  the  events  of  the  Council. 

The  construction  of  the  Free  Church  Assembly 
Hall  in  which  the  Council  was  convened  is  such 
that  the  large  map,  which  had  been  taken  all  the 
way  from  New  York,  could  not  be  hung  up  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  be  seen  to  any  advantage  ;  so  it  re- 
mained ingloriously  rolled  up  at  the  Doctor's  lodg- 
ing place.  But  this  disappointment  gave  him  the 
opportunity  for  playfully  remarking  in  the  begin- 
ning of  his  speech  that  he  "had  brought  a  map  along 
to  illustrate  the  greatness  of  the  Home  Mission 
work  in  America"  but  he  had  ''not  found  room 
enough  in  Scotland  to  hang  it  up."  This  hit  which 
was  thought  to  be  characteristic  of  the  American 
spirit,  was  very  well  received,  and  the  speaker  was 
soon  on  the  best  of  terms  with  his  audience. 

Dr.   Dickson  had  intended  to  spend  some  time 


i88  Memorial. 


abroad,  and  even  talked  of  going  as  far  as  St.  Peters- 
burgh,  as  on  a  former  trip  he  had  visited  the 
southern  part  of  the  Continent,  but  when  the  sad 
news  of  the  railroad  riots  of  that  year  reached  us  in 
London,  all  his  plans  for  an  extended  tour  were 
dashed  at  once,  and  he  determined  to  return  by  the 
next  steamer.  The  accounts  of  the  American  riots 
were  greatly  exaggerated  by  the  English  papers. 
In  common  with  all  his  countrymen  abroad  he  felt 
keenly  his  country's  disgrace  in  the  lawless  out- 
breaks of  that  summer,  but  his  great  anxiety  was 
for  the  Church  and  the  struggling  Missionaries  for 
whom  he  felt  more  than  a  brother's  solicitude.  I 
shall  never  forget  his  manner  when  he  announced 
to  me  in  the  city  of  London  his  determination  to 
return  at  once  to  America.  He  had  just  returned 
from  a  little  trip  to  Paris,  but  now  he  had  no  heart 
for  a  vacation,  if  his  country  and  his  brethren  were 
in  trouble.  His  quick  imagination  met  the  coming 
disasters  more  than  half  way.  He  had  passed 
through  all  the  scenes  of  confusion  in  the  border 
city  of  Baltimore  during  our  Civil  War.  If  now  a 
war  of  classes  was  begun,  as  reported,  in  his  native 
land,  he  had  no  heart  for  tours  of  recreation  and 
pleasure.  He  would  go  back  and  share  whatever 
God  had  in  store  for  his  distracted  country  and  the 
church  of  his  fathers.  It  was  idle  to  urge  upon 
him  his  need  of  rest,  and  the  possibility  that  the  re- 
ports were  false,  or  at  least  exaggerated.  The  spir- 
it of  self-sacrificing  zeal  that  wore  him  out  in  a  few 
short  years  was  strong  upon  him,  and  he  hurried 


The  Secretary.  i8g 

back  to  his  tread-mill  round  of  duties  until  he  stag- 
gered and  fell  under  the  weary  yoke. 

When  I  reached  New  York  on  my  return,  about 
the  first  of  October,  I  found  him  weary  and  exhaust- 
ed with  his  summer's  work  and  anxieties.  He  talk-^ 
ed  very  freely  about  his  health  and  his  work  in  the 
Board.  He  told  me  in  confidence  that  he  feared  he 
could  not  stand  'the  wear  and  tear'  of  his  position 
much  longer ;  that  he  had  received  his  office  by  the 
voice  of  the  whole  church,  expressed  in  the  choice 
of  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  when  he  could 
go  no  farther  he  would  resign  the  trust  again  to  the 
General  Assembly.  He  confided  to  me  that  he  did 
not  expect  to  be  able  to  bear  the  burden  longer 
than  to  the  Spring  of  1880,  when,  if  God  spared  him, 
he  would  have  finished  ten  years  of  service  in  the 
Secretaryship,  and  could  retire  with  the  conscious- 
ness of  having  done  his  duty  to  the  best  of  his  abil- 
ity, and  the  conviction  that  a  younger  man  could 
render  the  Church  better  service.  This  presenti- 
ment proved  to  be  only  too  true.  It  was  in  the  fate- 
ful Spring  of  1880  that  for  very  weariness  that  skil- 
ful right  hand  forgot  its  cunning,  and  that  eloquent 
tongue  began  to  stammer,  and  a  sorrowing  church 
began  to  see  the  beginning  of  the  end. 

Of  no  loving  follower  of  the  Master  could  it  be 
said  more  truthfully,  that  he  was  'straitened'  until 
his  work  was  'accomplished'.  Many  of  his  best 
friends  felt  that  his  exceptional  gifts  might  have 
been  long  spared  to  the  Church,  had  he  been  reliev- 
ed of  the  weariness  of  clerkly  labor  which  confined 


igo  Afemorial. 

him  so  much  of  his  time,  not  only  to  the  office,  but 
to  his  desk.     It  was  painful,  to  those  who  had  ap- 
preciated his  power  on  the  platform  and  in  the  pul- 
pit, to  see  him  wearing  out  in  the  veriest  drudgeries 
of   office-work — in   the  performance  of   tasks  that 
might  have  been  discharged  by  any  clerk.    But  it  is 
only  fair  to  say  that  with  this  feeling  of  his  friends 
he  had  no  sympathy.     He  did  not  thus  interpret  his 
obligations  to  the  church  at  large,  and  especially 
to  the  brethren  who  looked  to  the  Board  for  assist- 
ance.    It  was  his  loving  sympathy  with  these  men 
that  made  him  feel  it  his  sacred  duty  to  open  all 
their  letters  with  his  own  hand,  and  read  all  their 
contents   with  his  own  eye,  and  in  turn,  reply  to 
them,    if  possible,  with  his  own  brave  and  loving 
words.     Many  of  these  Missionaries  were  his  own 
personal  friends  ;  all  of  them  were  soldiers  enlisted 
with  him  in  a  common  cause.     He  made  all  their 
anxieties  his  own.     He  suffered  with  them  in  their 
hardships  and  privations  ;  in  their  bereavements  and 
trials.     He  could  not  spare  himself  when  he  knew 
of  the  burdens  which  press  so  heavily  on  a  large 
portion  of  our  laborious,  but  poorly  paid  ministry. 
In  the  Providence  of  God  he  might  be  called  to  be 
a  leader,  but  he  had  all  the  true  soldier's  instinct 
that  a  manly  officer  must  share  in  the  labors  and 
sacrifices  of   the   common  rank  and  file.     He  felt 
himself  in  living  and  loving  contact  with  the  whole 
Church,  and  he  could  truly  say  with  the  Apostle 
Paul :  **Who  is  weak  and  I  am  not  weak  1   Who  is 
offended  and  I  burn  not  V 


The  Secretary.  igi 

And  when  the  end  came  no  minister  of  modern 
times  could  more  truly  say  :  *'I  am  now  ready  to  be 
offered  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand  ;  I 
have  fought  a  good  fight ;  1  have  finished  my  course  ; 
I  have  kept  the  faith,  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for 
me  a  crown  of  righteousness  which  the  Lord  the 
righteous  Judge  shall  give  me  at  that  day,  and  not 
to  me  only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love  his  ap- 
pearing." 

With  great  respect,  I  am, 

Yours  fraternally, 
George  Norcross. 


VIII.     THE    MAN— THE    CHRISTIAN— 
THE  PREACHER. 


^^  Sooner  or  later  that  which  is  now  life  shall  be 
poetry^  and  every  fair  and  manly  trait  shall  add  a 
richer  strain  to  the  song.'' 

Emerson. 

''/  press  toivard  the  -^nark  for  the  prize  of  the  high 
calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus T 

Phil.  hi.  14. 


VIIL     THE    MAN— THE    CHRISTIAN- 
THE  PREACHER. 


It  is  the  shrub  that  is  nursed  and  cared  for  that 
grows  up  into  the  tall  and  comely  oak.  It  is  the 
bulb  placed  in  generous  soil  and  treated  to  sunshine 
and  shower  that  throws  up  its  strong  stock,  and 
produces  vigorous  buds  that  expand  into  rich  flowers, 
filling  the  air  with  fragrance  and  charming  the  eye 
with  beauty.  And  the  general  rule  is,  that  it  is  the 
child  of  the  Christian  home,  the  subject  of  many 
prayers,  the  recipient  of  good  advice,  the  child  of 
the  Sabbath  School,  and  of  the  Sanctuary,  that 
grows  up  to  years  of  usefulness  in  the  Church  and 
the  community.  There  are  exceptions.  Sometimes 
the  lily,  with  its  rich,  cool  petals,  and  with  fragrance 
that  suggests  the  gardens  of  some  fairy  land,  is 
found  by  the  side  of  the  stagnant  pool.  And  some- 
times the  child  that  is  born  under  most  unpromis- 
ing circumstances,  and  with  repulsive  surroundings 
that  suggest  most  dangerous  influences,  grows  up  to 
become  a  pillar  in  the  Church  and  a  blessing  to  the 
world.  But  this  only  shows  what  grace  can  do  to 
regenerate  and  bless  our  fallen  humanity,  and  as- 
sures us  that  there  is  no  limit  to  God's  power  and 
no  restraint  to  His  mercy. 

The  early  life  of  Cyrus  Dickson  was  promising. 


ig6  Memorial. 


The  influences  that  surrounded  him  were  pure  and 
good.  Both  the  home  example  and  the  home  in- 
struction were  such  as  to  induce  the  boy  to  a  good 
and  pure  and  upright  life.  He  was  hedged  about 
with  good  influences.  And  they  were  not  lost  upon 
him.     They  brought  forth  their  fruit  in  due  season. 

The  advice  of  the  inspired  king  of  Israel  in  the 
matter  of  training  up  a  child  was  followed,  and  the 
rich,  ripe  fruits  of  a  careful,  earnest  life  were  the  re- 
sult. The  strong  faith  and  the  earnest,  persistent 
prayers  of  those  pious  parents  brought  a  blessing 
of  care  and  thoughtfulness  and  conscientiousness 
and  consecration  to  God,  upon  the  son  of  their  love 
and  hope.  He  became,  through  the  blessing  of  God, 
the  dutiful  son  ;  the  diligent,  pains-taking  student ; 
the  earnest  preacher  of  the  Gospel ;  the  successful 
minister ;  The  enthusiastic,  brilliant  and  accom- 
plished Secretary. 

When  a  boy  he  was  a  favorite  amongst  his  fel- 
lows. The  strong,  earnest  feeling  of  right  that 
characterized  him  prevented  him  from  encroaching 
on  the  rights  of  his  companions,  and  his  rigid  sense 
of  justice  induced  him  to  respect  the  feelings,  and 
wishes,  and  weaknesses  of  those  who  were  younger 
than  himself.  And  the  flow  of  good  humor  that 
welled  up  from  his  heart,  made  him  a  most  desir- 
able companion. 

And  when  he  left  the  quiet  home,  still  a  mere  boy 
in  years,  and  listened  but  seldom  to  the  voices  that 
had  been  sweet  music  to  his  soul,  he  did  not  forget 
the  past.     Amid    all   the  scenes  of  Academy  and 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher,   igy 

College  life  and  vacation  rambles,  and  associating 
necessarily  with  some  not  the  purest  in  heart  or  life, 
he  maintained  the  pure,  sweet  life  of  integrity  that 
had  been  commenced  at  home.  From  childhood  to 
mature  manhood  he  maintained  a  conscience  void  of 
offence  toward  God  and  toward  man,  as  far  as  the  can- 
ons of  a  most  rigid  morality  and  virtue  are  concern- 
ed. And  for  the  rest,  between  God  and  his  own  soul, 
this  was  his  confidence  and  his  hope  :  "The  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ  His  Son  cleanses  us  from  all  sin." 

And  then,  when  he  went  out  into  the  world  to 
meet  the  hum  of  business  and  the  shock  of  men, 
he  carried  with  him  the  same  sense  of  justice,  the 
same  respect  for  the  rights  of  others,  the  same 
generous,  unselfish  disposition  that  had  character- 
ized him  as  a  child.  Throughout  life  he  was  gener- 
ous and  liberal,  often  to  his  own  hurt.  No  call 
for  aid  ever  came  to  him  that  was  dishonored. 
Whether  that  call  came  from  the  poor  mendicant 
that  had  stopped  at  his  door  asking  for  a  morsel  of 
bread,  or  was  borne  on  the  air  in  soft  echoes,  as 
missionary  news  was  sent  in  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  it  was  always  the  same — responded  to  with  a 
cheerful  heart  and  a  generous  hand.  And  this  gen- 
erosity was  not  of  the  ostentatious  kind.  It  was 
like  the  evening  dew  that  falls  insensibly  while  the 
world  sleeps.  It  was  bestowed  quietly  and  without 
outward  demonstration.  There  was  no  meanness 
nor  littleness  about  the  man,  but  a  heart  soft  as  a 
woman's,  deep  as  the  ocean,  and  that  beat  warmly 
and  lovingly  for  the  whole  human  family. 


ig8  Memorial. 


One  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  habits  and 
modes  of  thought  of  Dr.  Dickson  writes  : 

**He  was  so  kind  and  loving  to  every  one,  and 
was  especially  devoted  to  the  interests  of  his  own 
people,  honoring  them  in  every  way  he  could  ;  and 
I  think  almost  every  individual  in  his  church,  old 
and  young,  considered  him  their  personal  friend. 
Many  things  relating  to  this  feature  of  his  char- 
acter, of  wdiich  the  family  knew  nothing,  have  been 
told  them  since  his  departure." 

He  had  elements  of  popularity  such  as  few  men 
possess.  Whether  in  the  home,  in  social  life  or  in 
the  office,  or  on  the  streets,  he  had  a  kind  word  and 
a  pleasant  smile  for  all  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact. The  instinctive  feeling  of  all  who  had  inter- 
course with  him  was  that  he  was  their  friend.  He 
was  acquainted  not  only  with  his  friends,  but  with 
the  families  of  his  friends.  In  associating  with  his 
neighbors  he  always  made  thoughtful  inquiries  for 
all  connected  with  them.  Children  were  always 
drawn  to  him.  He  took  an  interest  in  them.  He 
entered  into  their  feelings  and  sympathies  and 
could  always  command  their  attention  and  regard. 

He  was  popular  with  the  young  men  of  his  day. 
He  never  forgot  the  days  of  his  own  early  man- 
hood, and  the  peculiar  wants  of  the  young,  and  he 
always  sought  out  this  class  with  advice  and  en- 
couragement and  sympathy.  The  young  men  could 
go  to  him  and  feel  that  their  cause  would  be  made 
his  own. 

He  had  that  most  desirable  faculty  of  remember- 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Pi^eacher.  igg 

ing  faces  and  names,  and  was  able  to  recognize  and 
take  in  on  the  instant,  the  circumstances  of  those 
he  met  even  casually.     In  his  country  charge,  as 
well  as  in  the  great  city,  he  was  familiar  with  the 
homes  of  the  people.     And  as  he  sought  out  the 
poor  in  their  humble  dwellings,  and  sat  down  with 
them  and  talked  with  them,  first,  of   the  common 
things   of   life,  of    the  children  at    school,    of    the 
older  boys  who  were  away  from  home,  of   the  girls 
striving  to  work  their  own  way  in  the  world  ;   and 
then   of    the  more  important  things  of    the   world 
to  come,  gliding  almost  insensibly  from  the  less  to 
the  greater,  they  felt  that  the  sunshine  had  come 
into  their  homes  with  the  caller,  and  that  they  had 
new  courage  and  hope  and  life   infused  into  their 
souls.     And  the  influence  of   his  presence  and  the 
tonic  of  his  words  were  the  same  in  all  the  house- 
holds into  which  he  came,  whether  in  the  quiet  or 
more  public  ways  of  life. 

This  was  the  case  when  he  was  a  pastor ;  and 
when  he  entered  the  wider  sphere  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions,  with  larger  advantages,  and  greater 
capabilities,  there  was  always  the  same  disposition 
to  enter  into  the  feelings  of  all  with  whom  he  came 
in  contact.  The  w^eak,  struggling  churches  in  the 
West,  the  poor  Missionary,  almost  discouraged  and 
ready  to  give  up  the  conflict,  always  found  in  him 
a  friend,  and  always  drew  inspiration  from  his  gen- 
erous, sympathizing  speech  and  strong  faith  in  God. 

And  for  a  man  occupying  such   large  fields   of 
work,  and  coming  in  contact  with  so  many  active, 


200  Memorial. 


energetic  minds,  he  was  remarkably  free  from  the 
least  approach  to  envy.  His  aims  were  always 
high  ;  ambition  he  had  in  large  measure  ;  but  it 
was  ambition  to  be  good  and  to  do  good,  and  not 
ambition  to  shine  in  the  world's  estimation.  He 
was  ambitious  to  stand  in  his  lot,  and  to  do  God's 
work,  and  benefit  the  souls  of  men,  and  help  to 
make  the  world  better  and  thus  glorify  God.  But 
he  had  no  disposition  to  set  himself  above  his 
brethren  nor  to  exalt  himself  at  the  expense  of  others. 
He  was  content  to  do  his  own  work,  and  if  others 
did  theirs  better,  he  was  always  ready  to  acknowl- 
edge their  excellence,  and  rejoice  in  their  success. 

Of  him  as  a  man  it  can  be  said,  with  far  greater 
propriety  than  was  said  of  Julius  Caesar,  by  the  no- 
ble orator,  Mark  Antony  : 

His  life  was  gentle ;  aad  the  elements 

So  mixed  in  him  that  nature  might  stand  up 

And  say  to  all  the  world  ;  This  was  a  man." 

As  a  Christian  this  one  thing  he  did — He  ascribed 
everything  to  God's  free  grace.  There  was  no  self 
righteousness,  no  disposition  to  trust  in  the  slight- 
est degree  to  his  own  works.  Jesus  Christ  was  all 
in  all  to  him.  The  precious  blood  of  the  cross  was 
that  in  which  he  trusted  for  the  pardon  of  sin,  for 
daily  strength  and  growth,  and  for  full  preparation 
for  the  coming  glory. 

Vital  piety  is  supposed  to  be  a  necessary  qualifi- 
cation for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  Yet  genu- 
ine piety  may  exist  under  various  degrees  of  devel- 
opment.    The  sacred  flame  may  burn  but  dimly  on 


The  Man — The  Christia^i — The  Preacher.  201 


the  inner  shrine,  yet  may  not  be  extinguished.  Yet 
this  sacred  fire  needs  to  be  watched  with  more  than 
vestal  vigilance  in  order  to  the  soul's  sweetest  peace, 
and  the  highest  efficiency  in  the  Lord's  service ; 
there  must  be  constant  growth  and  development. 

This  was  eminently  the  case  in  the  heart  and  life 
of  Dr.  Dickson.  All  his  correspondence  with  his 
friends  ;  all  the  observation  of  those  who  studied 
his  life,  and  were  familiar  with  his  ministry  of  forty 
years,  testify  as  to  how  he  grew  in  grace,  how  he 
walked  with  God,  and  how  he  improved  in  spiritual- 
ity. He  was  familiar  with  the  word  of  God,  and 
fhis  not  alone  as  a  part  of  the  furniture  for  preach- 
ing, but  for  his  own  personal  comfort  and  enjoy- 
ment. At  a  friend's  house,  on  coming  down  in  the 
morning,  he  remarked  casually  on  the  beauty  of  a 
certain  chapter  in  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah,  introduc- 
ing the  matter  by  saying :  "  I  was  reading  for  my 
own  comfort  before  I  came  down,  and  found  these 
sweet  words,"  and  then  went  on  to  say  what  com- 
fort there  was  in  the  chapter,  and  what  a  blessed 
thing  it  was  that  provision  was  made  for  all  the 
wants  of  God's  children. 

One  who  was  an  inmate  of  his  house,  in  speaking 
of  his  religious  life,  says  :  *'  He  never  seemed  to  talk 
religiously  as  a  duty,  but  no  one  could  help  seeing 
that  it  was  his  life.  In  all  his  conversation  every- 
thing was  judged  by  the  highest  standard.  He  al- 
ways brought  forth  'good  things  out  of  the  good  treas- 
ure of  his  heart.'     It  was  so  full  of  love  to  Christ, 


202  Memorial. 


and  so  entirely  consecrated  to  Him  that  he  could  not 
help  speaking  of  Him." 

He  was  a  man  that  walked  with  God  from  day  to 
day.  He  talked  with  Him,  and  God's  word  came  to 
him  in  reply.  Without  the  outward  demonstration 
to  the  senses  that  belonged  to  ''the  world's  gray 
fathers,"  in  the  days  of  the  tent  and  the  altar,  he 
yet  talked  with  God  as  a  man  with  his  friend.  To 
Him  he  went  for  counsel  and  advice.  He  always 
looked  for  the  pillar  of  cloud  to  gather  itself  to- 
gether ere  he  struck  his  tent,  and  when  the  cloud 
stopped,  then  he  was  ready  to  pitch  his  tent.  The 
mind  ot  the  Lord  was  the  great  question  with  him 
in  the  anticipation  of  the  few  changes  that  came  to 
him  in  his  official  life,  and  when  God  showed  him 
the  path  of  duty  he  consulted  not  with  flesh  and 
blood,  but  followed  whither  the  way  led. 

When  filial  affection  would  have  prompted  him  to 
go  to  the  West  and  settle  near  his  aged  father's 
home,  a  more  earnest  cry  from  God  induced  him  to 
go  to  Wheeling  and  settle  among  strangers.  And 
the  history  of  his  life  shows  that  in  all  this  he  was 
simply  following  the  counsel  of  God,  leading  him 
onward  in  such  a  way  as  to  work  out  the  best  inter- 
ests of  His  kingdom  and  the  building  up  of  His 
Church.  And  in  all  these  changes  God  honored 
His  servant  and  stood  by  him  in  all  things. 

As  to  his  devotional  habits  there  is  this  brief  de- 
scription by  one  who  was  familiar  with  his  daily  life 
and  knew  of  its  minutest  details  : 

"  He  always  arose  very  early  and  went  to  his 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher .  20 j 

study,  so  as  to  have  time  for  his  devotions,  and  for 
studying  his  Bible  in  Greek  and  English.  In  win- 
ter he  often  had  a  light  by  his  bed,  and  read  until 
the  servants  were  up  to  make  the  fires.  Even  in 
the  most  exciting  times,  I  do  not  believe  he  ever 
looked  at  the  newspaper  until  he  had  had  at  least 
an  hour  for  the  Bible.  I  think  he  studied  the  He- 
brew a  good  deal,  as  it  was  always  on  his  table,  but 
the  Greek  Testament  was  his  constant  companion. 

Although  he  loved  and  valued  the  old  version  of 
King  James,  and  made  it  the  chief  resort  in  his  de- 
votional reading,  yet  he  loved  at  times  to  look  into 
the  Hebrew  and  Greek,  and  to  explore  the  original 
sources  of  the  Divine  revelation.  Just  as  beloved 
sometimes  to  go  up  to  the  very  fountain  where  the 
clear,  cool  water  gushed  from  the  living  rock,  and 
lave  his  fevered  brow,  and  taste  it  in  all  its  freshness 
and  coolness,  so  he  loved  to  go  to  the  inspired  origi- 
nals of  God's  word  and  examine  and  enjoy  the  truth 
in  the  very  words  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  this 
was  his  life -long  practice,  and  it  brought  great  com- 
fort to  his  mind.  He  did  not  make  a  display  of  this 
learning  in  his  public  ministrations,  yet  to  the  care- 
ful hearer  there  was  noticed  the  beautiful  and  at- 
tractive fruits  of  a  rare  and  ripe  scholarship.  His 
well  thumbed  Greek  Testament  was  always  at  hand, 
until  his  work  was  done,  and  he  went  up  to  read  the 
Word  not  in  Hebrew  nor  Greek  nor  English,  but 
to  hear  it  in  the  language  of  Canaan. 

His  piety  was  of  the  hopeful,  cheerful  and  confi- 
dent kind.     There  was  no  sickly  sentiment  about  it. 


204  MemoriaL 


There  was  nothing  of  the  morbid,  desponding  feeling 
in  his  heart,  that  made  him  ill  at  ease  with  himself 
and  with  the  world.  He  was  not  one  moment  ex- 
alted to  the  third  heaven  and  the  next  sinking  with 
Peter  in  the  waves  of  Galilee.  If  at  times  there 
was  a  feeling  of  depression  in  his  heart  that  bore 
him  down  as  though  beneath  invisible  burdens,  it 
was  the  result  of  protracted  mental  and  physical  la- 
bors. As  a  Christian  man  he  always  felt  beneath 
his  feet  the  strong  Rock,  and  knew  he  would  never 
be  moved.  If  the  waves  did  dash  against  him  at 
times  he  knew  that  they  would  never  overcome  him. 
So  strong  was  his  faith  and  confidence  in  God  and 
His  good  Providence  that  he  knew  that  all  things 
would  work  together  for  his  good. 

There  was  a  cheerfulness  about  him  that  was 
manifested  in  all  his  letters  to  his  family  on  occa- 
sions of  his  absence,  and  on  little  scraps  of  paper 
found  in  his  study,  that  showed  something  of  the 
heart  of  the  man,  and  something  of  the  faith  of  the 
Christian.  There  was  a  feeling  of  devout  thanks- 
giving to  God  constantly  present  in  his  heart,  that 
made  his  whole  inner  life  a  perpetual  Thanksgiving 
Hymn. 

In  speaking  of  his  three  pastoral  charges,  there 
was  never  a  word  of  censure  nor  of  anything  that 
would  betoken  a  feeling  of  displeasure  with  any  of 
them.  Although  in  the  nature  of  things  there  must 
have  been  many  causes  of  irritation  in  the  past,  in 
all  these  places,  yet  he  buried  these  things  in  the 
forgetfulness  of  his  own   heart,   and   thought    and 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher.  20^ 

spoke  only  of  their  pleasant  and  hopeful  aspects. 
He  often  made  the  remark  :  "  I  am  thankful  to 
God  for  having  given  me  such  a  pleasant  and  kind 
and  thoughtful  people." 

From  the  same  sources,  his  letters  and  scraps  of 
paper,  is  learned  his  intense  feeling  for  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  his  people.  Always  is  there  the  prayer 
repeated  in  these  papers  that  God  would  pour  out 
His  Spirit  on  both  pastor  and  people  and  revive  His 
work.  He  preached  with  all  his  soul,  but  always 
accompanied  the  preaching  with  earnest  prayers  for 
the  blessing  of  the  Holy  Sj^irit,  and  felt  always  that 
without  this  the  preaching  would  be  in  vain  ;  and 
the  result  of  all  was  the  man  grew  in  grace  ;  the 
preaching  was  blessed  ;  sinners  were  converted  ; 
the  people  of  God  were  comforted  and  edified. 

In  his  devotion  to  his  people  he  was  always  ready 
to  sacrifice  the  plans  for  the  cultivation  of  the  in- 
terests of  his  own  household.  A  member  of  his 
household  says  :  ''The  many  plans  we  formed  for 
reading  together  never  could  be  long  carried  out. 
Much  as  he  desired  the  mental  improvement  of  his 
children,  the  bringing  lost  souls  to  the  Saviour  was 
the  absorbing  work  of  his  life." 

With  this  manliness  of  character,  and  zeal  in  any 
work  he  undertook ;  with  this  strong,  vigorous  in- 
tellectual nature  ;  with  these  habits  of  devotion  and 
consecration  to  God's  service  ;  with  this  unceasing 
prayer  for  the  Holy  Spirit's  presence  and  power,  his 
ministry  must  be  a  successful  one.  The  preaching 
must  be  attended  with  power,  and  souls  must  be 


2o6  Me7norial. 


converted  and  blessed.     And  that  this  was  the  case 
his  whole  official  life  attests. 

Cyrus  Dickson  was  about  five  feet,  seven  inches 
in  height,  rather  robust  in  figure,  large  chest  and 
neck,  with  head  large  and  firmly  poised.  His  com- 
plexion was  florid,  hair  sandy  and  growing  thin  as 
he  advanced  in  life  ;  eyes  dark  blue,  deeply  set  in 
his  head  and  full  of  fire  and  animation  when  en- 
gaged in  conversation  and  public  address.  His 
brow  arched  grandly  over  his  other  features,  giving 
him  the  appearance  of  largeness  of  brain  and  great 
intellectual  power.  When  engaged  in  public  speak- 
ing the  blood  flowed  tumultuously  up  through  the 
large  vessels  of  his  chest  and  neck,  deluging  his 
brain  with  its  ruddy  currents,  quickening  its  ener- 
gies, exciting  it  to  its  utmost  power  of  thought,  and 
enabling  the  speaker  to  pour  out  his  ideas  with 
wonderful  readiness  and  clearness  and  rapidity.  In 
his  prime  he  was  one  of  the  first  orators  of  his  day, 
swaying  and  moving  his  hearers  as  with  a  master's 
hand.  His  voice  was  attractive.  Though  somewhat 
shrill  in  its  higher  notes,  it  was  the  shrillness  of  the 
cornet,  and  had  sweetness  even  in  its  loudest  tones. 
In  its  lower  tones  it  was  his  mother's  voice,  sweet 
and  soft  and  musical  as  the  strokes  of 
"  Silver  bells  at  evening's  close." 

He  had  a  peculiar  constitution.  Inheriting  the 
fine,  delicate  nervous  organization  of  his  mother, 
he  was  subject  at  times  to  great  depression  of  spir- 
its. He  was  easily  moved,  and,  under  the  excite- 
ment of  public   speech  would  often  be  carried  be- 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher.  20^ 

yond  his  strength,  and  go  home  exhausted,  crushed, 
and  helpless  as  a  child.  Under  this  depression  he 
would  sometimes  feel  disheartened,  despondent  and 
ready  to  think  that  everything  was  crumbling  be- 
neath his  feet.  But  this  was  merely  the  result  of 
physical  causes.  It  was  the  effort  of  a  grand  soul 
struggling  in  the  companionship  of  a  physical  or- 
ganization too  frail  for  the  conflict.  There  was  no 
eclipse  of  faith.  There  was  no  loosening  of  the 
grasp  on  the  strong  hand  that  upholds  all  things. 
All  was  safe  and  comfortable  as  regards  the  pres- 
ence and  love  of  Christ. 

In  his  early  preaching  in  the  church  of  Franklin 
his  style  was  bright  and  cheerful,  and  beautified  by 
many  classical  allusions.  He  loved  Virgil  and  made 
frequent  use  of  the  beautiful  figures  and  tropes  that 
abound  in  his  sparkling  pages.  He  was  a  very  close 
observer  of  men  and  things,  and  drew  his  illustra- 
tions from  daily  life  as  it  was  seen  passing  around 
him.  Hardly  anything  in  the  world  of  nature  es- 
caped his  notice.  Like  the  wise  King  of  Israel,  he 
spoke  of  nature  from  the  cedar  of  Lebanon  to  the 
hyssop  that  springs  out  of  the  wall ;  from  the  little 
rill  that  gushes  from  the  base  of  the  rock  to  the 
mighty  flood  that  thunders  at  Niagara,  and  from  the 
little  mole-hill  that  is  crushed  beneath  the  hunter's 
tread,  to  the  mighty  Rocky  Mountains  that  hide 
their  heads  in  the  snows,  and  bathe  them  in  the 
fleecy  clouds. 

But  with  all  the  adornments  of  rhetoric  and  all 
the  flowers  of  poesy,  there  was  the  firm  substratum 


2o8  Memorial. 


of  Gospel  truth.  There  was,  with  all  the  symmetry 
and  force  of  Logic,  the  rich  marrow  of  the  Gospel, 
to  feed  the  hungry,  to  satisfy  the  thirsty  and  to  direct 
the  inquirer  to  the  cross  and  show  the  way  in  which 
earnest  souls  might  be  enabled  "to  do  justly,  to 
love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  God." 

He  was  a  thoughtful  man,  and  there  was  much 
thought  in  his  sermons.  The  careful  hearer  might 
carry  away  with  him  many  a  weighty  thought  that 
would  be  valuable  for  his  consideration  for  many 
days  to  come.  His  successor  coming  after  him 
found  the  people  still  treasuring  up  the  truths  of 
his  sermons  many  years  after  his  departure  to  other 
fields. 

As  he  advanced  in  study  and  in  experience  and 
in  years,  the  style  of  his  preaching  changed  some- 
what. While  there  was  the  same  beauty  and 
adornment  drawn  from  all  available  sources  there 
was  more  of  the  sober,  earnest  discussion  of  the 
doctrine  and  practice  of  the  Christian  life.  Whilst 
there  were  the  bright  flowers  of  thought,  there 
were  the  solid,  glittering  gems  of  doctrine  encrust- 
ing every  discourse.  There  were  more  frequently 
the  impassioned  appeals  to  the  heart  and  the  con- 
science, designed  to  arouse  the  hearer  to  the  con- 
ception of  his  lost  estate  as  a  sinner  and  to  the 
help  found  in  the  Saviour.  And  as  he  grew  in 
grace  the  spirituality  of  his  discourses  became 
more  prominent.  His  own  religious  experience 
was  largely  mingled  with  his  teaching,  and  the  rich 
fruits  of  the  years  were  set  before  the  hearers. 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher.  2og 

He  seemed  in  his  style  and  manner  to  have 
grasped  the  true  idea  of  gospel  preaching ;  to  con- 
vince sinners  of  sin  and  lead  them  to  the  Saviour ; 
and  to  build  up  the  people  of  God  in  faith  and 
holiness.  He  had  this  before  him  in  the  choice  of 
texts,  in  the  plans  of  sermons  and  in  the  delivery 
of  all  his  discourses.  And  in  the  heart  of  every 
hearer  there  must  have  been  the  conviction  that 
there  was  a  most  intense  earnestness  in  the  preach- 
er, and  a  most  profound  conviction  in  his  own 
heart  as  to  the  reality  of  the  doctrines  and  duties 
that  he  set  forth. 

And  so  he  declared  the  way  of  God  with  earnest- 
ness and  trusted  in  Him  as  to  the  final  result. 

Dr.  Dickson  did  not  write  his  sermons,  but  pre- 
pared them  by  his  own  close  mental  processes. 
His  practice  was  to  prepare  a  very  brief  skeleton, 
containing  all  the  points  of  the  sermon,  and  then, 
with  closed  eyes  and  almost  complete  abstraction,  to 
work  out  laboriously  and  patiently  those  discourses 
that  were  to  please  and  instruct  and  edify  his  con- 
gregations. His  usual  plan  was  the  textual.  The 
text  to  him  was  not  a  motto  for  a  labored  essay  ;  not 
soniething  to  suggest  a  train  of  thought,  or  the  start- 
ing point  for  a  discussion  drawn  from  the  context ; 
but  the  sole,  entire  theme  of  the  discourse.  The 
text  was  selected.  Here  was  a  message  from  God. 
Here  were  words  indited  by  the  Holy  Spirit  for  the 
instruction  and  edification  of  men.  Now  what  is 
the  precise  mind  of  the  Holy  Spirit  .-*  What  is  the 
teaching  of  the  word  t     And  then  he  set  about  the 


210  Memorial. 


elucidation  of  the  text  carefully  and  prayerfully,  and 
conscientiously.  Word  by  word,  and  sentence  by 
sentence  were  scanned.  The  meaning  of  individual 
words  was  examined  ;  the  fullness  and  richness  of 
sentences  were  brought  to  view  ;  the  doctrine,  the 
precept,  the  warning  were  all  brought  out  with  all 
the  clearness  and  force  of  which  he  was  master. 
Then  the  text  as  a  whole  was  summed  up  with  pa- 
tient care,  and  this  was  followed  by  an  application  of 
the  subject  to  the  heart  and  the  conscience  of  the 
hearer  with  such  unction  and  fervor  and  plainness 
as  to  make  each  individual  feel  that  the  matter  was 
personal  to  himself.  In  this  way  he  reached  deep 
down  into  the  subjectj  and  explored  the  hidden 
meaning  of  the  word,  and  brought  to  light  the  rich- 
ness and  beauty  and  value  of  the  word  of  God. 

In  these  sermons  there  was  much  of  the  consola- 
tory and  the  comforting.  He  was  conscious  of  his 
own  wants,  and  his  knowledge  of  the  common  heart 
of  God's  people  showed  him  that  their  wants  were 
similar  to  his  own,  and  the  promises  and  assurances 
he  found  in  the  word  so  well  adapted  to  his  own 
comfort  were  brought  to  bear  in  the  comforting, of 
the  church.  But  whilst  he  strove  for  the  edification 
of  the  body  of  Christ,  and  the  building  up  of  his 
people,  he  did  not  neglect  the  great  matter  of  cal- 
ling sinners  to  repentance.  And  here  he  was  pecu- 
liarly tender  as  well  as  heart-searching.  There  was 
no  violent  denunciation  ;  no  magisterial  sitting  in 
judgment.  But  there  was  the  setting  forth  of  the 
soul's  inestimable  value  ;  the  awful  evil  of  sin  ;  the 


The  Man —  The  Christian —  The  Preacher.  211 


wonderful  love  of  God  in  the  work  of  the  cross  ;  the 
renewing  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ;  the  sweet  invi- 
tations of  the  Gospel ;  the  promise  of  eternal  life, 
and  the  glories  of  the  eternal  world.  All  these 
things  were  pressed  upon  the  hearts  of  the  hearers 
with  all  the  love  and  tenderness  with  which  a  par- 
ent would  deal  with  a  beloved  child. 

He  was  a  faithful  preacher  of  the  word,  and  shun- 
ned not  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  and 
the  seed  sown  from  a  full  hand  and  accompanied  by 
the  prayer  of  an  earnest,  hopeful  heart  was  blessed 
of  God  in  many  a  rich  harvest.  The  seed  sown  be- 
side all  waters  will  spring  up  and  bring  forth  abun- 
dantly even  now  that  his  labors  are  over,  and  he  is 
in  the  rest  and  the  reward  :  "they  that  turn  many 
to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever". 

His  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  easy  and  pleasant, 
his  gesticulation  graceful  and  appropriate,  and  the 
impression  made  on  the  mind  of  a  stranger  would 
be  pleasant  and  commanding.  Whilst  there  was 
nothing  imposing  in  his  figure  or  general  appear- 
ance, there  was  yet  that  in  his  countenance  and 
particularly  in  his  eye  that  would  command  atten- 
tion even  from  an  ordinarily  listless  hearer.  He 
was  a  natural  orator.  The  audience  were  at  ease 
when  he  arose  to  speak  and  as  he  proceeded  they 
had  no  doubt  as  to  his  mastery  of  himself  and  of 
the  subject.  He  spoke  at  the  first  easily  and  calm- 
ly, preparing  the  way  for  his  discussion  and  gradu- 
ally warming  up  until  at  times  every  feature  of  his 
countenance,  every  muscle  of  his  body,  and  every 


212  Me^norial. 


drop  of  blood  in  his  veins  were  in  sympathy  with 
his  discourse,  and  brought  into  exercise  to  explain 
and  enforce  the  grand  theme  that  was  before  him. 
Then  it  was  that  thought  seemed  to  be  ever  ready  at 
his  call,  and  words  flowed  from  his  lips  easily,  grace- 
fully, and  naturally  as  the  rain  falls  from  the  summer 
clouds.  He  was  never  at  a  loss  for  words  nor 
were  words  in  his  lips  merely  sounds,  silvery  though 
their  echo  might  be,  they  were  always  the  repre- 
sentatives of  ideas.  They  always  bore  mighty 
thoughts  in  their  bosom,  and  always  set  forth  the 
thought  plainly  as  well  as  pleasantly.  It  was  a 
pleasure  to  hear  him  preach,  not  only  for  the  truth's 
sake  and  the  Master's,  but  for  the  attractiveness  of 
the  Rhetoric  and  the  happy  arrangement  of  trope 
and  figure  and  illustration. 

Yet  withal  there  was  the  simple  desire  on  the 
part  of  the  preacher  to  preach  Christ,  to  convince 
men,  to  help  and  strengthen  them,  and  to  glorify 
God  in  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

Dr.  Dickson  was  in  the  habit  of  quoting  Scripture 
with  great  accuracy,  and  had  vast  stores  of  it  in  his 
memory,  yet  he  kept  a  small  Bible  in  the  pulpit, 
and  often  read  proof  texts  from  it,  partly  to  be 
strictly  accurate,  and  partly  for  the  sake  of  exam- 
ple. He  retained  the  shorter  Catechism  in  his 
memory,  and  often  quoted  it  in  his  sermons.  In 
his  own  household  it  was  kept  freshly  in  memory 
by  constant  recitations.  Up  to  the  last  winter  in 
New  York  it  was  the  constant  custom  to  spend  Sab- 
bath evenings  in  reciting  the  Catechism,  the  Apos- 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher.  21  j 

ties'  and  Nicene  creeds,  with  portions  of  the  Bible, 
and  singing  the  old,  familiar  Psalms  and  Hymns. 
In  his  advice  to  his  children,  at  home  and  at  school, 
every  accomplishment  was  to  be  sought  with  the 
one  object,  to  glorify  God.  Music  was  but  a  prepa- 
ration for  the  praises  of  Heaven. 

He  was  always  an  ardent  advocate  of  the  cause  of 
Temperance.  In  his  early  days  in  Franklin  he  es- 
poused the  cause  of  the  Washingtonian  movement, 
as  something  that  promised  good ;  and  every 
scheme  that  looked  in  the  same  direction  was  en- 
couraged and  assisted.  Personally  he  practised  to- 
tal abstinence  throughout  his  whole  life. 

The  cause  of  education  lay  very  near  to  his  heart. 
Early  in  life  he  assisted  many  young  men  by  hear- 
ing them  recite  in  his  own  study,  and  many  young 
men  were  indebted  to  him  for  their  preparation  for 
the  Gospel  ministry. 

Whilst  in  New  York,  Dr.  Dickson's  services  were 
in  much  demand  as  a  preacher.  He  was  always 
ready  to  assist  his  brethren  in  this  way,  and  gave 
general  satisfaction  to  the  congregations.  Many 
seasons  he  remained  at  his  post  the  entire  summer, 
and  on  invitation  undertook  the  pastoral  duties  of 
brethren  who  were  out  of  town  during  the  heated 
term.  At  this  time  his  preaching  was  full  of  ani- 
mation, rich  in  the  language  of  Scripture,  and  full 
of  the  fine  gold  of  the  Gospel.  There  was  great 
variety  in  his  discourses  both  as  to  subject  and 
treatment,  yet  he  was  remarkable  for  the  narrow 
compass  of  his  Hymnology.     For  his  own  choice 


21^  Memorial. 


and  tastes  half  a  dozen  hymns  would  suffice. 
There  is  this  anecdote  related  illustrating  this  feat- 
ure in  his  habits  and  taste  :  he  was  on  a  committee 
to  report  a  Hymn  Book,  that  proved  to  be  the  first 
Hymnal  published  by  the  General  Assembly.  He 
was  notified  at  Baltimore  that  the  committee  would 
meet  on  a  certain  day  in  New  York,  with  the  re- 
quest to  meet  with  them.  Being  too  busily  engaged 
to  leave  home,  he  replied  by  letter  that  he  could 
not  attend,  but  if  they  would  select  his  half  dozen 
hymns  he  would  be  ready  to  sanction  whatever  they 
might  do.  Yet  he  was  a  lover  of  poetry  and  had 
many  of  the  elements  of  the  true  poet  in  his  na- 
ture. He  could  quote  from  the  old  classics  many  a 
rich  and  racy  line  in  the  original ;  and  from  the  old 
English  poets  he  could  give  most  appropriate  quo- 
tations, apparently  without  an  effort.  It  is  probable 
that  in  the  matter  of  his  Hymns  there  were  some 
old  associations  that  had  very  great  weight  in  his 
mind  and  greatly  influenced  his  choice  as  he  made 
his  selections,  and  this  almost  unconsciously. 

One  of  Dr.  Dickson's  associates  in  the  ministry 
at  Baltimore*  has  this  just  estimate  of  his  character 
and  capabilities  : 

^'  One  secret  of  his  power  was  in  his  personal  at- 
traction— simplicity  of  matter  and  manner,  his  in 
tense  earnestness,  quaintness  of  style,  refined  gen- 
tility, and  keen  perception  of  the  salient  points  of 
human  character,  and  eminent  skill  in  using  this 
power   to    practical   advantage.     He   was    popular 

*Rev.  D.  T.  Caruahan, 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher.  21^ 

with  all  people,  for  he  had  the  peculiar  faculty  of 
making  everybody  feel  not  only  that  he  was  a  high- 
toned  Christian  gentleman,  but  that  he  could  see  and 
appreciate  points  of  excellence  in  their  character 
which  the  mass  of  mankind  overlooked.  At  the 
same  time  he  was  no  flatterer. 

His  capabilities  as  a  platform  speaker,  which  af- 
terward developed  into  such  grand  proportions  dur- 
ing his  brilliant  career  as  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions  became  apparent  during  our  union 
services  in  connection  with  the  different  benevolent 
works  of  the  church.  His  addresses  then  became  the 
chief  features  of  such  occasions.  And  because  of 
their  quaint,  apposite  and  striking  illustrations,  and 
intense  earnestness,  secured  the  most  rapt  atten- 
tion." 

The  remark  of  Justin  Mc  Carthy  in  regard  to 
Cobden*  is  most  emphatically  true  in  regard  to  Dr. 
Dickson  :  "  On  everything  he  saw  he  turned  a  quick 
and  intelligent  eye  :  he  saw  for  himself  and  thought 
for  himself.  Wherever  he  went  he  wanted  to  learn 
something.  He  had  in  abundance  that  peculiar  fac- 
ulty which  some  great  men  of  decidedly  different 
stamp  from  him  and  from  each  other  have  possess- 
ed— of  which  Goethe  boasted,  and  Mirabeau  had — the 
faculty  which  exacts  from  every  one  with  whom  its 
owner  comes  in  contact  some  contribution  to  his 
stock  of  information ;  he  could  learn  something 
from  everybody. 

*  History  of  our  own  times. 


2i6  Memorial, 


And  now  if  we  try  to  sum  up  the  characteristics 
of  the  man,  the  Christian,  and  the  preacher,  we  shall 
find  them  very  strongly  embraced  in  the  one  word, 
growth.     He  was  a  growing  man   always  and    in 
every  respect.    His  course  was  onward  and  upward. 
The  boy  was  active  and  vivacious,  and  always  had  be- 
fore him  very  high  aims.     He  once  told  a  good  old 
lady  who  thought  small  boys  should  be  seen  and  not 
heard,   that  the  name  of    Dickson    would   yet   be 
heard  around  the  world.     As  he  advanced  that  boy- 
ish  vivacity   became    vigor,    and     strength    as    he 
entered  professional  life.      The  desire  to  know  on 
the  part  of  the  boy  led  to  a  mind  thoroughly  stored 
with  all  kinds  of  knowledge,  and  resources  adapted 
to  all  purposes.     The  ambition  that  characterized 
him,  even  as  he  sat  with  dangling  limbs  on  the  lit- 
tle boys'  seat  in  the  old  log  school  house,  became  in 
after  life  the  eager  desire  and  the  intense  zeal  that 
were  embraced  in  the  words  of  the  Apostle  :  "  this 
one  thing  I  do."     The  feelings  that  welled  up  in 
his  heart  as  he  performed  little  kindnesses  for  his 
mother  expanded  into  the  desire  to  benefit  the  en- 
tire race  of  man,  and  to  show  kindness  to  every  hu- 
man  being  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.     The 
boyish  effort  in  the  Fourth  of  July  oration  was  but 
the  little  tender  bud  that  expanded  and  ripened  in- 
to those  grand  missionary  addresses  that  electrified  ■ 
the  Church,  until  the  General  Assembly  were  ready 
to  follow  him  in  a  new  crusade  against  every  form 
of  misbelief,  and  to  plant  the  standard  of  the  cross  in 
every  hamlet  and  town  and  neighborhood  through- 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher.  21  j 

out  the  great  West ;  even  as  the  people  of  old  fol- 
lowed Peter  the  hermit,  from  the  pleasant  land  of 
France  into  the  desert,  after  his  impassioned  preach- 
ing. And  he  continued  to  grow  and  expand 
through  all  the  years,  in  knowledge  in  charity,  in 
philanthropy,  in  patriotism,  and  in  all  those  broad 
principles  that  lifted  him  up  above  selfishness,  and 
made  him  a  friend  to  humanity,  and  a  most  ardent 
lover  of  his  country. 

And  as  a  Christian  man  he  grew  steadily,  con- 
stantly, and  most  perceptibly  to  the  notice  of  his 
friends.  To  himself  there  was  always  this  feel- 
ing— I  am  not  what  I  should  be,  I  am  not  what  I 
wish  to  be— I  am  not  what  I  hope  to  be ;  yet  all 
along  his  Christian  life  he  could  say  :  *'  By  the 
grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am.'*  In  his  boyhood 
days  he  was  the  ardent,  impetuous  Christian,  wish- 
ing to  see  the  fruits  of  faith  and  prayer  and  work 
constantly  presenting  themselves  before  him.  La- 
ter in  life,  there  was  even  more  warmth,  more  faith, 
and  more  prayer,  but  at  the  same  time  more  of  a 
willingness  to  sow,  and  water,  and  leave  the  growth 
and  the  harvest  to  God.  In  his  childhood's  impetu- 
ous feelings  he  wished  some  wonderful  manifesta- 
tion of  God's  power  to  convince  his  reason  and  thus 
strengthen  his  faith  ;  as  the  sun  reached  its  meridi- 
an in  life,  he  was  willing  to  take  God's  word  as  he 
found  it  on  record,  and  trust  all  to  his  abiding  faith- 
fulness. And  in  his  official  work  he  joined  his  fel- 
low Secretary  in  pressing  the  work  with  their  ut- 
most diligence ;  and  then  he  fell  on  sleep,  feeling 


2i8  Memorial. 


sure  that  God  would  bring  this  whole  Nation  safely 
through  the  perils  that  now  environ  it,  and  make  of 
it  a  Christian  nation  whose  God  is  the  Lord.  Early 
in  life  there  was  a  disposition  to  draw  denomina- 
tional lines  somewhat  close,  but  as  the  years  passed 
and  his  life  was  sweetened  by  the  graces  of  Chris- 
tian charity,  the  feeling  was  to  fraternize  with  all 
the  children  of  God  as  brethren. 

As  a  Christian  he  grew  in  grace.  In  the  light  of 
God's  countenance  ;  in  the  sweet  sunshine  of  the 
Saviour's  love;  in  the  strong  aliment  of  the  daily 
study  of  God's  word,  and  in  the  invigorating  influ- 
ence of  constant,  conscientious  and  enjoyable  pray- 
er he  grew  strong  in  faith  and  in  spirit.  These 
blessed  means  of  grace  were  freely  used  and  had  a 
most  precious  influence  on  his  heart  and  life  and  la- 
bor. They  were  more  to  him  than  the  dew  of  Her- 
mon  to  the  sources  of  the  Jordan  ;  more  than  the 
early  and  latter  rains  to  the  parched  fields  of  Is- 
rael's border  ;  more  than  the  summer  suns  in  the 
ripening  of  the  wheat  in  the  plains,  and  the  fruits 
in  the  orchards ;  they  made  him  mighty  in  the 
Lord,  and  gave  to  him  a  regular  aud  vigorous 
growth  in  all  the  Christian  graces. 

There  was  a  wondrous  and  beautiful  growth  in 
the  preacher.  In  his  youthful  days  there  was  ardor 
and  sprightliness  and  beauty.  He  loved  the  flowers 
in  the  fields  and  the  great  spreading  trees  in  the 
forest.  He  loved  the  hills  that  environed  his  Frank- 
lin home,  and  the  beautiful,  flowing  river  that  glid- 
ed by.     He  greatly  admired  the  stars  that  came  out 


The  Man — The  Christian — The  Preacher .  2ig 

as  sentinels  on  the  watch-towers  of  night,  and  all 
Nature  was  his  treasury,  from  which  he  drew  his 
illustrations,  to  adorn  and  beautify  his  sermons. 
They  were  all  tributary  to  the  one  great  object,  to 
render  truth  attractive  and  to  win  the  heart  to  Jesus. 

There  are  people  still  lingering  near  his  early 
home,  amid  the  hills  that  bathe  their  feet  in  the  Al- 
legheny, who  remember  his  early  preaching,  and 
how  familiar  he  seemed  with  Nature,  and  with  what 
wonderful  touches  he  could  adorn  and  render  attrac- 
tive a  subject  that  before  seemed  dry  and  abstruse, 
by  incident,  by  comparison,  and  by  the  lessons  of 
the  seasons  and  the  voices  of  Nature. 

But  the  years  passed  ;  the  burdens  of  pastoral 
work  increased,  and  the  solemn  contact  with  immor- 
tal souls  pressing  on  to  the  judgment,  whilst  exert- 
ing a  ripening  influence  upon  his  intellect,  at  the 
same  time  sobered  his  reason,  chastened  his  fancy, 
and  brought  eternal  verities  more  sensibly  to  his 
soul.  At  the  same  time  he  gave  attention  to  read- 
ing, and  to  all  forms  of  literary  culture,  and  there 
came  a  wondrous  growth  of  intellect  with  the  years. 
And  this,  combined  with  his  growth  in  grace,  and 
his  natural  ease  and  warmth,  rendered  him  a  most 
attractive  preacher  of  Christ.  He  preached  the 
same  Saviour  and  the  same  Gospel  as  of  old,  but 
there  was  a  strength,  an  unction,  a  power  with  the 
preaching  of  mature  life  that  was  most  pleasant  and 
delightful  and  profitable. 

This  work  of  progress  and  improvement  went  for- 
ward through  his  whole  life.     To  hear  him  preach, 


220  Memorial. 


or  deliver  one  of  those  magnificent  addresses,  in 
the  work  of  his  last  years,  the  unprofessional  hear- 
er might  be  led  to  suppose  that  all  this  came  as  a 
matter  of  course,  and  with  little  preparation  or  fore- 
thought. But  they  who  should  so  suppose  would 
have  but  a  feeble  conception  of  the  man,  or  of  the 
nature  of  his  labor,  or  of  the  measure  of  his  toil.  Like 
the  great  orator  who  was  thirty  years  preparing  his 
great  oration,  he  was  all  his  professional  life  prepar- 
ing those  city  sermons  and  those  soul  inspiring 
addressess  that  have  given  him  a  reputation  that 
is  world  wide. 

*'  The  heights  by  great  men  reached  and  kept 
Were  not  attained  by  sudden  flight, 
But  they,  while  their  companions  slept, 
Were  toiling  upward  in  the  night." 


IX.    THE  HOME  LIFE. 


^^Home  is  the  resort 
Of  love,  of  joy  f  of  peace  ^  and  plenty  ;  where  ^ 
Supporting  and  supported^  polished  friends 
And  dear  relations  mingle  into  bliss.^^ 

Thomson. 

"Then   the   disciples  went  atvay  agaht  unto  their 
own  homey 

John  xx.  io. 


IX.     THE  HOME  LIFE. 


Sir  Edward  Coke,  in  an  argument  of  an  import- 
ant case,  says  :  ''The  house  of  every  one  is  to  him 
as  his  Castle  and  Fortress,  as  well  for  ■  his  defence 
against  injury  and  violence  as  for  his  repose."  It 
is  the  one  sacred  place  in  all  the  world  where  peace 
and  harmony  should  dwell,  and  where  the  weary 
body  and  the  jaded  mind  may  at  once  find  rest. 
The  tourist  in  strange  lands  never  gets  free  from 
the  home  feeling.  It  will  come  over  him  in  the 
most  sacred  places,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  most  ex- 
citing scenes.  Temples  and  Pyramids,  and  sacred 
shrines  will  all  lose  their  interest  and  cease  to 
please  as  the  thought  of  home  and  loved  ones 
sweeps  over  the  heart  like  the  night  breeze  over 
the  Eolian  Harp,  with  its  voices  of  sweetness  and 
memories  of  untold  joys. 

The  family  and  home  of  Dr.  Dickson  commenced 
at  Franklin,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  month  of  January, 
1840.  In  that  quiet  little  town,  nestled  away  amid 
the  hills,  and  surrounded  by  scenes  of  great  historic 
interest,  he  builded  his  home  and  established  his 
Lares.  It  was  in  a  quaint  old  fashioned  house, 
with  porch  and  veranda  in  front,  and  wide  hall  run- 
ning through  the  center  facing  West  Park,  and 
looking  out  on  the  waters  of  French  Creek,  just  be- 


22^  Memorial. 


fore  they  debouch  into  the  romantic  Allegheny.  It 
was  in  near  proximity  to  the  church  and  not  far 
from  the  business  portion  of  the  town.  In  the  sweet 
summer  days  there  was  little  to  disturb  the  tran- 
quility, save  the  old  lumbering  coach  that  awaked 
attention  as  it  passed  by  every  alternate  day, 
with  its  small  bag  of  letters  and  the  few  passen- 
gers whom  business  or  pleasure  brought  into  the 
country.  All  around  the  town  the  hills  loomed 
up  to  a  considerable  height,  cutting  off  the  view  of 
the  surrounding  country,  but  clothed  in  summer 
with  the  luxurious  green  of .  forest  trees,  enameled 
with  the  bright  flowers  of  the  wild  honeysuckle 
coming  out  in  advance  of  its  leaves,  and  the  yet  more 
gorgeous  blooms  of  the  laurel.  Away  to  the  right, 
marked  by  a  yet  livelier  green,  was  the  gorge 
through  which  flowed  the  waters  of  the  Allegheny, 
and  to  the  left,  the  course  of  French  Creek,  hallow- 
ed still  by  the  adventurous  voyage  of  the  Father  of 
his  country,  and  hanging  darkly  over  it  the  precipi- 
tous cliff  that  overlooks  alike  town  and  country  and 
river  and  hill  and  creek,  was  distinctly  marked  out. 
Here  commenced  the  ministry  and  here  was  plant- 
ed the  home  of  the  man  whose  influence  was  to  be 
felt  away  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  the 
then  unknown  region  of  Alaska,  and  beyond  the 
great  ocean.  And  here  amongst  many  other  happy 
homes  was  set  up  that  of  the  young  minister,  made 
beautiful  by  affection  and  love  and  harmony,  a  mod- 
el home  for  those  who  were  about  setting  up  for 
themselves,  even  as  the  life  of  the  minister  was  to 


The  Home  Life,  22^ 


be  an  example  to  those  who  should  be  attendants 
upon  his  ministry.  And  there  is  no  doubt  but  that 
the  influence  of  this  home,  with  its  hospitable  board 
and  its  entertaining  talks  and  its  genial  temper  and 
its  cheerful  ways  and  its  sacred  family  altar  had  an 
influence  in  improving  the  society  and  the  lives  of 
all  who  came  within  the  sphere  of  its  influence,  and 
in  moulding  and  shaping  the  institutions  of  the 
congregation,  and  of  some  outside  the  immediate 
congregation. 

In  this  small  home  the  minister  and  his  wife  be- 
gan their  quiet  life.  These  first  years  were  always 
full  of  sweet  and  pleasant  memories  to  the  Pastor. 
The  great  world  was  not  so  large  then  as  it  became 
afterwards.  Although  he  could  even  tRen  see  away 
beyond  the  Franklin  hills,  and  could  hear  something 
louder  than  the  murmur  of  the  waters  of  the  Alle- 
gheny, yet  he  found  such  a  paradise  in  his  home 
that  he  was  content  with  all  its  surroundings.  The 
first  winter  passed.  The  warm  spring  came.  The 
mud  dried  up  under  the  genial  influence  of  the  warm 
May  day  suns.  With  his  wife  he  would  take  long 
rides  on  horseback,  climbing  the  steep  Pittsburgh 
hill ;  skirting  the  shady  banks  of  the  Allegheny,  as 
the  road  led  up  to  Oil  Creek  ;  occasionally  dismount- 
ing to  gather  wonderful  clusters  of  laurel,  or  honey- 
suckle, and  then  returning  laden  with  immense  mass- 
es of  flowers  as  though  preparing  for  the  worship  of 
Flora.  At  other  times  they  would  vary  the  plan  and 
take  long  walks  by  themselves  in  the  same  early 
summer  days  after  the  forenoon  labors  of  study  and 


226  Memo7'ial. 


household  affairs  were  over.  At  such  times  they 
would  go  up  by  the  big  dam,  where  the  narrow  path 
hung  over  the  high  precipice,  and  where  the  waters 
of  French  Creek  rushed  tumultuously  over  the 
breastwork  of  the  dam  ;  or  they  would  wander  away 
down  to  the  lower  end  of  the  town  in  the  direction 
of  Smith's  Run,  aud  up  the  gorge  that  led  to  Bully 
Hill.  Here  they  would  gather  the  liverwort  and  the 
lady's  slipper,  and,  climbing  still  higher  on  the  rocks 
find  the  gay  culumbine,  or,  nestled  away  under  the 
leaves,  or  hidden  under  the  springing  sweet  fern, 
the  bright,  fragrant,  trailing  arbutus,  regardless  of 
the  fear  of  rattlesnakes,  or  other  nameless  terrors. 

They  woi^d  then  sit  down  and  botanize,  giving 
to  each  flower  its  proper  place  in  the  flower  family, 
its  genera  and  species,  with  its  medicinal  properties 
and  habits.  But  when  the  arbutus,  with  its  rough, 
uncouth  leaves,  its  bright  pink  buds  and  its  wonder- 
ful fragrance  came  under  review  all  ordinary  rules 
were  laid  aside  in  w^onder  at  its  beauty  and  fra- 
grance. By  what  wonderful  chemistry  of  earth  and 
of  atmosphere  was  this  subtle  fragrance  concocted  } 
Whence  this  aroma  so  delicate,  so  refreshing,  so 
susrsfestive  of  the  odors  of  Eden  as  we  dream  of  it, 
and  whence  this  reminder  of  all  that  is  beautiful 
upon  earth,  or  in  other  worlds  } 

And  so  the  hours  would  pass,  and  the  sun  would 
approach  his  setting,  and  the  young  couple  would 
return  laden  with  their  hands  full  of  gay  flowers 
wherewith  to  deck  the  high  mantle,  or  the  great  old 
fashioned  fireplace  in  the  sitting  room. 


The  Home  Life.  22'j 

These  long  rides  and  walks  in  particular  after- 
noons of  leisure  brought  relief  after  morning  studies, 
and  afternoons  of  pastoral  work.  They  brought  a 
change  to  "The  Lady  of  the  Manse"  after  her  care- 
ful forenoons  in  the  house,  while  the  pastor  was  busy 
in  his  study,  and  assisted  in  confirming  that  health 
and  vigor  that  had  been  the  heir  loom  of  both  from 
vigorous  and  healthy  households  on  both  sides.  In 
that  romantic  home  amongst  the  hills,  with  its  clear, 
sparkling  streams  of  spring  water,  and  its  breezes 
odorous  with  the  healing  breath  of  the  pine  forests 
that  stretched  along  to  the  north  east,  they  both 
drank  in  health,  and  took  on  a  vigor  of  body  and 
mind  that  was  of  immense  service  to  them  when 
called  to  labor  in  far  different  scenes,  and  the  mem- 
ory of  these  things  was  always  sweet  and  delightful. 

From  the  first  pitching  of  his  tent  in  his  own 
quiet  domain  Dr.  Dickson  was  happy  and  content- 
ed as  any  titled  dignitary  in  his  turretted  Castle. 
His  home  was  his  castle,  without  towers  or  baronial 
halls.  It  was  his  paradise  without  ever-blooming 
flowers  or  perennial  fruits.  It  was  to  him  simply 
home  with  its  peace  and  its  quietness,  its  rest,  its 
heaven,  so  far  as  heaven  can  be  found  upon  earth. 
And  this  home  continued  sweet  and  restful  to  him 
until  he  went  up  to  the  only  perfect  home  in  heaven, 
where  all  God's  children  meet  in  their  Father's 
House  ! 

This  home  upon  earth  changed  its  locality  again 
and  again,  but  it  was  identically  the  same  home,  for 
the  same  light  shone  in  its  sacred  precincts  ;  the 


228  MemoriaL 


same  voice  was  the  chief  attraction  in  its  music ; 
and  although  new,  fresh  faces  came  into  it,  as  the 
years  rolled  along,  and  new  child-voices  began  to  be 
heard  in  its  widening  circle,  yet  it  was  the  same 
sweet,  delightful  home  to  the  pastor  whether  at 
Franklin,  or  Wheeling,  or  Baltimore  or  New  York. 
"Where  the  king  is,  there  is  the  court"  so  where 
the  wife,  the  children  were,  there  was  the  home  to 
this  domestic,  home-loving  man. 

And  wheresoever  the  absence  and  the  call  of  duty 
led  him  ;  whether  to  Brokenstraw,  or  Rock  Island, 
or  Nebraska,  or  Texas,  or  Egypt,  or  Edinburgh ; 
his  mind  always  turned  toward  his  home,  and  the 
attraction  was  very  strong  that  drew  him  thither. 
And  so  strongly  was  he  attached  to  his  home  and 
his  fireside  that  nothing  but  the  urgent  calls  of  duty 
could  induce  him  to  leave  them,  even  for  a  short 
space  of  time,  or  prolong  his  absence  beyond  the 
shortest  limit  possible. 

And  as  he  remembered  the  home  of  his  childhood 
by  the  side  of  the  Lake,  and  cherished  the  memory 
of  his  mother  as  the  one  sweet  dream  of  his  child- 
hood's life ;  and  saw  as  the  center,  the  light,  the 
beauty,  the  glory  of  that  lakeside  home,  the  sweet 
mother  with  her  soft  eyes,  and  her  gentle  voice  ;  so 
now  in  his  own  home,  the  home  of  his  young  man- 
hood and  of  his  mature  strength,  there  was  the  same 
attraction  and  the  same  exceeding  great  joy.  The 
kind  providence  to  whose  guiding  hand  he  attribut- 
ed every  blessing  that  crowned  his  life,  had  sent  him 
a  life  companion  most  eminently  adapted  to  his  na- 


The  Home  Life.  22g 


ture  and  temperament.     She  was  entirely  different 
from  him  in  temperament  and  general  feature,  both 
physical    and   mental,   yet    exactly  adapted   to   his 
whole  nature.     The  one  was  the  complement  of  the 
other.     What  one  lacked,  or  possessed  in  small  pro- 
portion,   the    other    possessed    in    large    measure. 
Whilst  the  husband  was  nervous,  ardent  and  often 
full  of  anxiety,  and  restless  in  regard  to  many  things, 
the  wife  was  calm,  collected,  philosophical,  and  full 
of  hope.    Whilst  the  former  saw  castles  in  the  gold- 
en   clouds,  and    exultant   strains  of   music    in   the 
sounds  that  came  to  their  ears  ;  the  latter  sometimes 
saw  the  gilded  clouds  driven  by  storms,  and  the 
distant  voices   heralding  the  tempest.     But  the  two 
together,   the  one  the  complement  and  fulness  of 
the  other,  so  blended  their  tastes  and  judgments 
and  convictions  as  to  make  one  beautiful  whole,  and 
the  result  was  harmony  and  peace  and  prosperity. 

And  with  this  blending  of  feeling  and  taste  and 
judgment,  the  home  could  not  but  be  happy.  And 
in  all  the  changes  that  came ;  in  all  the  troubles 
that  rose,  in  all  the  joys  that  were  given  them,  Dr. 
Dickson  always  ascribed  the  light  and  the  comfort 
and  the  success  to  this  early  partner  of  his  life  work, 
and"  in  every  thing  yielded  her  the  palm  for  supe- 
rior judgment  and  prudence  and  discernment  as  to 
what  was  right  and  proper  to  be  done. 

In  this  quaint  old  house,  with  its  porch  and  veran- 
da and  high  stone  steps  was  born,  Margaret  Chris- 
tiana, the  oldest  child,  and  here  began  the  family 
life  that  has  been  so  full  of  joy  and  domestic  happi- 


2 JO  Memorial. 


ness,  even  though  the  shadows  did  fall  sometimes, 
and  the  clouds  roll  themselves  up  in  the  sky.  But 
unlike  many  a  family  there  was  more  sunshine  than 
clouds,  and  there  was  heard  the  singing  of  birds 
more  frequently  than  the  voice  of  storms.  But  that 
grand  old  house  has  yielded  to  the  changes  of  time, 
and  the  place  that  afforded  the  first  home  to  the 
minister  has  passed  away,  and  is  but  a  memory  to 
those  who  once  inhabited  it.  But  to  some  hearts 
it  is  a  memory  that  will  never  be  quenched,  a  home 
to  which  the  thoughts  will  go  back  on  many  a  tear- 
ful pilgrimage,  even  as  Israel  now  does  to  the  wail- 
ing place  by  the  side  of  their  Holy  of  Holies. 

The  next  home  of  the  minister  was  on  the  opposite 
side  of  West  Park,  in  the  brick  house  that  still 
stands  as  a  monument  of  the  past.  It  too  looks  out 
on  the  green,  shaded  by  its  few  trees,  and  in  the 
rear  upon  the  creek,  as  it  sweeps  around  the  cliff 
and  hastens  to  bury  itself  in  the  current  of  the  Alle- 
gheny. Here  were  born  other  two  daughters,  Eva 
Reynolds  and  Fanny  Delia,  the  former  now  Mrs. 
W.  W.  Smith  of  Philadelphia,  the  latter  Mrs.  F.  J. 
Leavens  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  And  there  the 
grandmother  came  to  be  an  inmate  of  the  home,  to 
add  her  experience  and  the  sweet  light  of  her  coun- 
sels. 

In  this  home  the  children  began  to  occupy  a 
prominent  place  and  to  kindle  up  the  light  that  after- 
wards made  the  little  circle  brilliant  with  its  domes- 
tic joys  as  the  heavens  are  with  their  stars.  The 
education  of  the  little  ones  commenced  early.    There 


The  Home  Life.  2ji 

were  quiet  lessons  in  the  nursery,  and  there  was  al- 
ways liberty  to  creep  into  the  study  where  there 
were  the  lessons  taught  from  the  little  primer,  but 
sweeter  lessons  still,  about  the  little  Christ  Child 
and  the  work  he  came  here  to  perform,  and  the  way 
to  go  to  him  now,  even  though  we  cannot  see  him, 
as  we  kneel  down  in  prayer.  The  very  first  lessons 
these  children  learned  were  lessons  of  faith  and  trust 
in  God,  as  they  learned  of  the  Friend  of  sinners, 
and  the  home  of  His  people  in  heaven.  And  this 
father,  with  the  burdens  of  the  church  upon  his 
heart,  was  yet  all  cheerful  and  joyful  in  the  midst  of 
his  children  in  the  home.  It  was  there  that  he  could 
unbend,  be  a  little  child  once  more,  and  make  them 
happy  as  he  made  himself  happy  in  their  joy. 

But  the  change  came.  The  call  was  heard  from 
Wheeling.  The  home  must  be  broken  up.  Many 
of  its  sacred  things  must  pass  into  the  hands  of 
strangers,  and  the  home  be  builded  once  more  amid 
new  scenes.  Pilgrims  are  we  all,  and  strangers, 
continually  striking  the  tent  and  moving  forward, 
pitching  it  but  for  a  night,  and  the  devout  heart 
feeling  at  each  stage  of  the  journey,  as  eventide 
comes,  that  it  is  : 

"A  day's  march  nearer  home  " 

And  the  thought  of  the  Home  that  will  be  eter- 
nal; after  the  final  tent  pitching,  gives  the  heart 
courage  in  its  pilgrimage  here.  It  nerves  the  arm 
for  the  work  of  taking  down  and  setting  up  the 
tent  pins,  and  makes  all  the  labors  but  brief  episodes 
on  the  way  to  the  Father's  house. 


2^2  Me^norial. 


The  family  were  soon  installed  in  their  Wheeling 
home.  The  feeling  of  being  among  strangers  now 
for  a  time  made  the  home  seem  doubly  dear,  and  its 
joys  more  precious  than  ever.  The  work  was  not 
interrupted  without ;  it  became  more  urgent  and 
pressing  than  ever.  But  the  joy  of  the  home  was 
enhanced  by  that  very  cause.  The  afternoons  must 
be  given  to  the  people  ;  the  forenoons  to  the  study. 
But  there  were  the  pleasant  evening  hours  when 
the  entire  circle  were  together,  and  pleasant  talk, 
and  childish  readings  and  plays,  even  games  were  in- 
dulged in,  and  the  labors  of  the  day  were  forgotten. 
The  weariness  of  the  body  and  of  the  brain  were 
unnoticed  until  the  hour  for  sleep  came. 

There  were  no  longer  the  rides  and  the  walks  of 
the  Franklin  home ;  the  gathering  of  flowers  and 
the  weaving  of  garlands  ;  the  sitting  on  the  porch 
of  Mr.  Bowman's  house  under  the  soft  light  of  the 
harvest  moon ;  these  times  had  passed  away,  and 
times  of  greater  care  and  more  earnest  work  had 
taken  their  places.  But  it  was  not  the  less  a  happy 
and  a  joyous  home.  There  were  amusements,  and 
cares  were  transformed  into  pleasures  that  were 
quite  as  enjoyable  and  profitable  as  before,  and  there 
was  the  feeling  that  the  Lord  was  blessing  them  in 
their  family  and  in  the  church. 

And  in  this  home  there  came  a  new  joy  into  the 
father's  soul.  With  a  beating  heart  and  a  gladness 
in  his  deep  eye  that  could  not  be  kept  back,  he  said 
to  a  clerical  friend  one  day  in  his  study :  "I  rejoice 
to  say  that  my  dear  M.  has  given  her  heart  to  her 


The  Ho7ne  Life.  2jj 

Saviour.  I  think  she  loves  Christ."  And  he  felt 
more  than  repaid  for  the  little  talks  at  eventide,  and 
for  his  prayers  when  no  ear  could  hear  but  that  of 
God.  Here  was  the  first  one  of  the  little  flock  gath- 
ered into  the  Shepherd's  fold,  although  there  had 
been  as  yet  no  outward  profession  :  and  here  the 
other  two  daughters  in  due  time  made  the  same 
confession  of  Christ. 

In  the  Wheeling  home  a  new  light  dawned.  A  new 
joy  arose  in  the  household.  The  angels  passed  by 
and  a  little  baby  was  given  to  the  family  that  was  a 
wellspring  of  joy,  alike  to  the  parents  and  the  old- 
er children.  It  was  dedicated  to  God,  and  as  the 
bright  water  drops  fell  upon  its  upturned  brow,  it 
was  called  Louisa  Herron,  after  a  particular  friend 
of  the  family.     It  was  born  January  ninth,  1856. 

In  this  home  the  time  passed  rapidly  and  pleas- 
antly. The  children  were  growing  up,  they  were 
to  be  educated,  and  this  matter  was  superintended 
by  the  parents  ;  and  the  kindness  and  patience  and 
tact  of  these  beloved  teachers  will  long  be  a  mem- 
ory and  a  joy  to  the  children.  They  assisted  great- 
ly in  bridging  over  the  ruggedness  and  the  painful- 
ness  and  the  weariness  of  this  stage  of  the  life 
journey.  The  children  were  not  relieved  of  the 
labor  and  thought  necessary  to  the  accomplishment 
of  their  tasks,  yet  they  were  encouraged  to  put 
forth  all  their  efforts,  and  then  often  found  a  hint 
or  a  suggestion  most  valuable,  as  they  came  just  at 
the  right  time.  And  in  this  way  the  mysteries  of 
Algebra  and  the  details  of  Science  were  unveiled 


2J4  Me7norial. 


before  them  and  the  difficulties  all  smoothed  out, 
and  the  way  seemed  plain.  Parents  and  children 
seemed  engaged  together  in  the  work,  and,  so  the 
tasks  were  lightened  and  divided  between  those 
who  had  been  over  the  ground  before  and  those 
who  were  just  testing  their  capabilities  in  overcom- 
ing its  obstacles. 

Another  change  came  to  the  home.  The  call  to 
Baltimore  was  talked  over,  and  prayed  over  until 
the  light  came,  and  the  way  was  made  clear,  as  the 
pillar  of  cloud  gathered  itself  together  and  was 
ready  for  the  march.  The  home  was  broken  up 
in  Wheeling  and  established  in  Lexington  Street, 
Baltimore.  Tender  ties  connected  with  the  old 
home  were  sundered ;  friends  came  to  say  good-bye  ; 
words  of  farewell  were  spoken  and  the  new  life  com- 
menced amongst  strangers.  But  it  was  not  long 
before  new  and  very  tender  ties  were  formed  in  the 
new  home.  The  people  of  that  goodly  city  that  was 
to  be  the  scene  of  the  new  labors  gathered  around 
them  and  the  house  was  soon  bright  and  the  work 
began  as  it  had  been  broken  off,  and  was  carried  for- 
ward with  new  heart  and  new  zeal.  Soon  everything 
was  moving  on  as  usual.  The  children  were  grow- 
ing up ;  new  studies  were  undertaken  ;  new  duties 
varied  the  every  day  round  of  life.  Yet  these  new 
duties  to  the  church  were  not  in  the  way  of  the 
home  duties.  The  study  and  the  afternoon  calls 
were  adhered  to  with  more  zeal  than  ever,  yet  there 
was  always  time  for  the  family  circle.  There 
was  always  the    sweet  sunshine  that  was  brought 


The  Home  Life.  2j^ 

in  from  the  street ;  and  the  yet  sweeter  light  brought 
down  from  the  study  when  the  labor  of  books  and 
pen  and  severe  thought  were  over.  And  then,  in 
the  light  of  the  home  circle,  the  cares  of  the  profes- 
sion seemed  to  roll  from  his  shoulders,  the  wrinkles 
of  toil  seemed  to  smooth  out  and  he  was  young  and 
genial  as  ever.  And  the  family  circle  was  bright- 
ened \\Y>  at  his  approach  and  new  cheerfulness  seem- 
ed to  be  infused  into  the  hearts  of  each  one  in  his 
presence. 

A  member  of  the  household  writes  these  appre- 
ciative words  in  regard  to  his  influence  in  the  men- 
tal and  religious  culture  of  the  children : 

"I  sometimes  feel  what  a  great  blessing  it  would 
have  been  to  us  if  father  with  his.  .  .  .  capabilities 
could  have  personally  conducted  our  education. 
But  if  he  had  done  so  he  would  not  have  done  the 
great  work  he  did  for  the  Master :  and  after  all.  .  . 
.  .  it  may  have  been  a  greater  blessing  tons  to  have 
his  example  of  unselfish  devotion  to  the  highest 
ends.  All  his  influence  over  us  was  to  lead  us  to 
the  best  and  highest  mental  and  spiritual  culture. 

"He  thought  so  much  of  gentle,  attractive  man- 
ners, and  so  often  begged  us  to  modulate  our  voices 
and  to  avoid  slang.  In  almost  every  letter  to  us  he 
would  say:  'Nulla  dies  sine  linea,'  or  'The  pen  is 
mightier  than  the  sword.' 

''With  our  young  friends  he  was  very  genial  and 
pleasant,  having  his  jokes  and  teasing  as  well  as  his 
more  serious  conversation." 

The  family  seemed  on  an  equality  in  almost  every 


2j6  Memorial. 


respect.  The  father  would  talk  to  the  children  as 
though  they  were  equals  in  every  way.  Their  in- 
terests were  his  interests,  and  he  would  come  down 
to  their  capacity  in  their  younger  years  and  talk  as 
a  little  child,  and  make  them  feel  that  he  could  en- 
ter into  their  feelings  in  every  respect ;  and  the  con- 
sequence was  that  there  w:as  perfect  confidence  be- 
tween them  on  all  subjects  and  their  highest  and 
best  interests  were  greatly  promoted.  And  the 
good  influence  of  this  early  training  will  be  felt  in 
the  household  throughout  the  lives  of  its  members. 
When  the  father  had  been  absent  from  home  on 
any  of  his  trips,  it  was  always  a  great  treat  to 
the  children  of  the  household  to  have  a  nar- 
rative of  his  travels.  He  would  sit  down  in  the 
midst  of  them  and  patiently  relate  all  that  had  hap- 
pened from  the  time  of  setting  out  until  his  return. 
All  the  incidents  were  related,  and  what  he  saw  and 
what  he  heard,  always  mingling  instruction  as  well 
as  entertainment  in  the  narrative.  Perhaps  the 
journey  had  been  out  to  Rock  Island  to  see  his  fath- 
er. Then  the  incidents  of  the  steamboat  voyage 
were  to  be  related.  The  views  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  were  to  be  described  ;  the  outcroppings 
of  the  Magnesian  Limestone,  running  zig-zag  in  its 
course  and  resembling  the  ruins  of  old  castles  on 
the  Rhine  were  noted,  and  the  general  make  up  of 
the  passenger  list  was  commented  on.  Possibly 
the  story  was  about  a  run  across  the  great  prairie, 
amid  the  waving  of  grass  and  among  the  bright 
blooms  of  the  nichniddy,  or  the  great  brilliant  clus- 


The  Home  Life.  2jj 

ters  of  the  wild  lilies,  not  forgetting  the  prairie 
chickens,  nor  the  cunning  looking  prairie  dogs,  that 
would  sit  up  on  their  hind  feet  on  the  top  of  the 
little  mounds  that  were  over  their  dwellings,  and 
bark  until  the  near  approach  of  travellers  and  then 
dive  head  foremost  into  their  subterraneous  houses. 

And  so  the  whole  journey  would  be  lived  over 
again  and  the  whole  household  would  get  an  idea 
of  all  that  was  interesting  in  the  trip.  And  this 
familiarity  was  kept  up  with  the  children  until  they 
grew  up  and  went  out  into  homes  of  their  own,  and 
there  was  always  a  feeling  of  love  for  their  old  home 
and  the  delightful  times  they  had  enjoyed,  by  those 
who  had  established  homes  of  their  own. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  another 
member  of  the  home  circle  gives  such  a  delightful 
picture  of  the  life  of  the  father  and  friend  that  it  is 
here  introduced  : 

•'  There  were  no  great  events  in  our  home  life  to 
mark  it — the  charm  was  the  atmosphere  of  love, 
the  perfect  confidence  that  existed  between  parent 
and  children.  I  always  felt  that  my  father  was  a  very 
busy  man — at  work  all  the  time.  He  was  up  early 
in  the  morning,  and,  after  the  never-omitted  cold 
bath,  went  to  his  study  for  his  private  devotions,  till 
breakfast  time.  No  one  ever  went  to  the  study 
then.  I  remember  from  my  early  childhood  his 
prayers  at  worship,  always  suited  to  the  emergen- 
cies of  each  day,  the  joy  or  sorrow  of  every  mem- 
ber of  the  household  tenderly  remembered,  and  an 
enthusiasm  kindled  to  live  the  day  for  Jesus.      Af- 


2j8  Memorial. 


ter  breakfast  the  mornings  were  spent  by  father  in 
his  study.  In  the  afternoon  he  was  busy  in  pas- 
toral work,  or  as  we  used  to  call  it  **pastorial  visits." 

**  As  we  children  studied  at  home,  when  we  were 
young,  our  amusements  were  in  a  measure  colored 
by  father's  employments,  we  made  little  stories  and 
poetry,  editing  papers,  and  we  kept  diaries.  This  last 
was  father's  especial  request.  He  gave  us  all  blank 
books,  asking  us  to  keep  daily  records  of  our  lives, 
and  reminding  us  of  the  book  of  remembrance  that 
our  "Father  in  Heaven"  was  keeping  for  us. 

'■'  There  was  always  a  great  deal  of  company  at  our 
house.  Most  of  them  were  bright,  intelligent  peo- 
ple. We  children  enjoyed  the  frequent  talks  on 
politics,  literature  and  religion.  The  Manse  table 
was  seldom  without  "  angels  unawares  "  who  often 
left  the  impress  of  their  character  on  the  young 
folks. 

*'  Father  always  took  an  interest  in  everything  that 
concerned  his  children.  Our  friends  were  his 
friends.  I  have  often  seen  him  devote  his  rare  con- 
versational powers  to  interest  or  draw  out  some 
shy  young  girl  or  bashful  youth.  Fatherless  girls 
were  especially  his  care.  His  tenderness  and  sym- 
pathy for  them  was  great. 

Even  in  his  busiest  times  he  seldom  omitted  call- 
ing all  of  us  and  mother  into  the  study  on  Sunday 
afternoons  to  say  the  catechism  ;  he  would  explain 
the  answers  and  talk  to  us  on  personal  religion. 
He  often  spoke  to  us  of  his  mother  then,  how  she 
used  to  catechise  her   children.     I  remember  one 


The  Ho7iie  Life,  2j^ 

Sunday  when  we  came  to  "  The  souls  of  believers 
are  at  their  death,"  &c.,  he  told  as  that  this  was  the 
theme  she  explained  and  talked  about  the  last  Sun- 
day he  was  with  her.  You  know  she  was  especially 
precious  to  him  always. 

*' My  dear  father  was  so  bright  and  joyous  in  his 
home,  so  full  of  wit  and  repartee,  his  sense  of  the 
humorous  was  so  keen,  and  his  amusing  stories  so 
well  told — my  memories  of  family  life  are  full  of 
sunshine.  I  cannot  remember  a  harsh  word  or 
anything  that  he  ever  said  or  did  that  I  could  have 
wished  different.  I  would  go  to  him  in  every  trou- 
ble or  dilemma  sure  of  his  sympathy  and  his  pru- 
dent counsel.  And  in  every  pleasant  thing  that 
happened  his  enthusiasm  made  enjoyment  newer." 

Another  member  of  the  home  circle  thus  writes  : 

"  One  thing  that  characterized  my  father  was 
prayerfulness.  Our  family  worship  never  became 
a  mere  formality.  Morning  and  evening  all  the 
household  old  and  young,  servants,  visitors,  extra 
work  people  were  gathered  to  it,  and  in  its  prayers 
mention  was  made  of  all  that  interested  us.  On 
our  birthdays  there  were  special  petitions.  If  a 
guest  was  expected,  a  pleasant  and  profitable  visit 
was  asked,  and  if  one  were  departing,  a  safe  jour- 
ney was  invoked.  I  remember  one  friend  writing 
of  a  marked  deliverance  in  a  railway  accident  that 
seemed  to  her  and  her  husband  a  direct  answer  to 
the  supplications  at  our  family  altar  that  morning. 
As  soon  as  one  of  us  could  "  lead  a   tune  "  there 


2^0  Memorial, 


was  always  singing,  as  had  been  the  custom  in  his 
boyhood  home.  Whenever  any  perplexity  or  criti- 
cal question  arose  there  was  prayer  with  those  of 
us  who  were  with  him.  From  my  earliest  remem- 
brance we  used  to  be  called  to  his  study  on  Sabbath 
afternoons  to  be  catechized,  prayed  with,  and  talked 
to  individually  about  our  souls.  I  was  always  able 
to  speak  more  freely  with  my  pen  than  with  my 
tongue,  and  so  sometimes  to  me  he  would  write, 
and  give  me  the  missive  to  read  and  answer.  Be- 
fore me  now  is  such  a  letter,  dated  when  I  was  ten 
years  old,  urging  my  responsibility  and  duty  to  God 
and  those  around  me,  so  full  of  a  father's  tender  so- 
licitude. This  solicitude  was  not  confined  to  his 
own  children,  but  there  were  few  to  whom  he  did 
not  speak  on  the  subject  of  personal  religion." 

At  the  Baltimore  home  the  shadows  fell  very 
darkly  one  day,  and  the  light  of  the  house  seemed 
to  go  out  at  noonday.  It  was  on  the  fourth  day  of 
November,  1857.  Death  came  to  the  little  child 
that  had  won  such  a  place  alike  in  the  hearts  of 
parents  and  older  sisters.  The  flower  that  had 
bloomed  so  sweetly  faded  in  its  first  brightness. 
The  sickness  came,  the  pain,  the  weariness,  and 
wrote  lines  of  weakness  and  suffering  upon  the 
brow  that  had  always  been  so  full  of  smiles.  And 
then  the  change  came.  The  angels  bore  the  little 
one  into  the  bosom  of  the  Saviour,  when  all  the 
lines  of  suffering  faded  out,  and  the  little  sleeper 
smiled  more  sweetly  than  she  had  ever  done  in  life, 
for  the  light  of  the  vision  of  the  angels  seemed  to 


The  Home  Life.  2//.! 

linger  on  every  feature  of  her  countenance,  and  the 
parents  felt  that  it  was  well  with  the  child,  as  they 
heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord  in  the  sweet  echoes  that 
come  down  from  the  days  of  his  flesh  :  "  Suffer  lit- 
tle children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not, 
for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

And  whilst  there  were  the  aching  hearts  and  bit- 
ter tears  at  the  departure  of  the  little  one,  there 
was  at  the  same  time  the  consciousness  that  it  was 
at  rest,  and  that  the  shadows  would  never  fall  upon 
its  pathway,  and  that  there  would  be'  a  glad  meet- 
ing in  the  Father's  house,  where  "  the  inhabitant 
shall  no  more  say  I  am  sick,  and  where  the  home 
circle  shall  not  be  broken  forever.  And  with  these 
thoughts,  cheerfulness  came  into  the  house  once 
more,  although  the  child  was  not  forgotten,  and  the 
active  duties  of  life  went  on  as  before, 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  to  his  father 
express  something  of  the  parent's  feeling  : 

TO    HIS    FATHER. 

"Bait."  Dec.  3,  '57. 
*'  You  have  known  often,  but  I  never  did  until 
our  pet  was  taken,  what  it  is  to  have  one  s  own 
child  diQ.  It  is  a  great  thing,  and  I  trust  it  will 
help  me  to  sympathize  more  tenderly  with  those  in 
sorrow  hereafter.  We  have  those  in  the  better 
country  to  welcome  her,  above  all  the  chief  Shep- 
herd is  there,  who  takes  the  lambs  in  His  arms  and 
carries  them  in  His  bosom." 


242  Memorial. 


Jan.  38. 
The  little  chair  at  our  table  was  empty,  the  pat- 
tering of  little  feet  was  not  heard.  The  last  year 
has  given  us  a  great  and  sad  experience  of  immor- 
tality. We  start  out  on  the  journey  of  this  new 
year  less  confident  of  reaching  its  end.  The  road 
is  less  safe  and  less  certain  to  us  since  our  sorrow." 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  by 
one  of  the  bereaved  circle  will  convey  an  idea  alike 
of  the  circumstances  and  the  feeling  under  this  be- 
reavement : 

"  The  death  of  little  Louisa  was  a  great  shock  to 
him  as  well  as  to  us  all.  She  was  much  younger 
than  the  other  three  of  us,  and  so  was  a  household 
pet.  When  old  enough  to  walk  she  would  go  back  and 
forth  between  my  mother's  room  and  the  study,  and 
was  as  much  indulged  in  the  latter  as  in  the  former. 
"Seeing  him  write  she  would  wish  to  do  the  same, 
and  he  would  give  her  ink,  paper  and  pens  to  use  as 
she  willed.  There  is  still  among  our  relics  a  Presby- 
terial  Report  covered  with  her  last  scribblings, 
which  she  ended  as  usual  by  emptying  the  little  ink- 
stand on  her  paper.  November  3d,  1857,  my  father 
left  home,  taking  us  two  older  children  to  school,  and 
the  baby  stood  at  the  window,  the  picture  of  health, 
kissing  her  hand  as  we  drove  away.  He  returned  the 
following  day  at  noon,  and  was  met  at  the  station  by 
one  of  his  dear  friends  with  the  tidings  that  the  lit- 
tle one  had  just  died  after  an  illness  of  a  few  hours. 
We  were  sent  for  and  reached  home  the  5  th,  and  I 


The  Home  Life.  2^j 


remember  while  we  daughters  and  mother  sat  with 
him  in  the  study  he  read  from  his  Greek  Testament 
— the  same  that  was  his  companion  till  the  last  days 
of  his  life — the  ever-consoling  words  of  ist  Thessa- 
lonians,  iv:  13-18.  The  funeral  was  at  our  home 
in  Lexington  Street,  on  Friday,  November  6th,  Dr. 
Smith  conducting  the  service,  and  other  pastors  be- 
ing the  pall-bearers. 

**  On  the  Sabbath  morning  after  her  death  he 
preached  from  Psalm  viii.  2.  '*  Out  of  the  mouth 
of  babes  and  sucklings  Thou  has  ordained  strength," 
— the  text  he  had  chosen  early  in  the  week,  before 
the  coming  of  his  bereavement." 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  a  valued 
friend  in  another  State  is  so  appreciative,  and  at  the 
same  time  so  just,  that  it  is  inserted  here.  The 
home  described  had  been  enjoyed,  and  its  beauties 
noted : 

"  Brilliant  and  successful  as  Dr.  Dickson  was  in 
public  life,  those  who  knew  him  only  there  knew 
nothing  of  the  most  delightful  side  of  his  many 
sided  nature.  It  was  in  the  home,  surrounded  by 
the  appreciative  family,  that  he  was  most  attractive 
and  charming.  There  the  earnest  preacher,  the 
magnetic  orator,  the  enthusiastic  worker,  and  the 
genial  gentleman  were  merged  into  the  tender  and 
devoted  husband  and  father,  the  entertaining  and  in- 
structive companion,  and  the  household  guide  and 
friend. 

"Though  of  nervous  temperament  and  given  to 
exhaustive  work,  it  was  not  in  his  nature  to  expend 


2^4  Memorial. 


his  best  gifts  abroad,  and  theii  leave  for  home  use 
only  worn  out  energies  and  the  nervous  irritability  so 
common  to  literary  men.  His  keenest  wit  and  live- 
liest sallies,  as  well  as  his  deepest  emotions,  were  re- 
served for  his  family  circle,  in  which,  it  seemed  to 
the  familiar  friend  that,  all  the  domestic  virtues 
were  most  beautifully  illustrated. 

"To  the  lovely,  cultured  wife,  and  the  bright,  intel- 
ligent daughters  whose  education  had  been  the  par- 
ents' joint  care — he  came  for  rest  and  refreshment  ; 
and  in  the  family  life,  mirth  and  music,  jest  and 
games  were  admirably  blended  with  more  serious 
things,  and  study  and  solid  reading  were  so  judicious- 
ly seasoned  with  the  best  works  of  fiction  and  poetry 
that  it  was  refreshment  to  any  favored  one  who 
shared  the  family  life.  Like  a  band  of  sisters  and 
brothers  they  dwelt  together,  sharing  each  other's 
labors,  joys  and  griefs,  having  books  and  friends  in 
common — stimulating  each  other  to  clever  rhyme 
and  repartee,  as  well  as  to  all  manner  of  good  works, 
and,  while  this  cup  of  human  happiness  was  held 
in  the  steady  hand  of  the  perfectly  balanced  mother, 
the  father's  wit  and  humor  kept  a  perpetual  sparkle 
on  the  brim. 

*'  The  family  were  never  banished  from  the  study 
— as  it  was  familiarly  called,  and,  in  return,  the 
father,  sometimes  with  gown  and  book,  would  visit 
the  family  rooms,  where  often  some  privileged  guest 
was  made  welcome,  and  interest  himself  in  the 
minor  details  of  everything  that  concerned  or  in- 
terested the  rest. 


The  Home  Life,  24^ 


"As  a  host  he  was  perfect,  with  cordial  greeting 
and  wonderful  consideration,  dispensing  hospitality 
as  if  he  ever  felt  he  might  be  entertaining  angels 
unawares. 

*'  It  seems  to  me  that  no  words  are  too  warm  or 
glowing  to  use  in  speaking  of  Dr.  Dickson's  home 
life.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  it  all ;  I  only  know  that 
while  his  loss  to  the  Church  and  the  cause  of 
Home  Missions  is  irreparable,  there  is  many  and 
many  an  old  parishioner  and  friend,  who,  with  his 
family,  is  sorrowing  most  of  all  that  they  shall  see 
his  face  no  more  at  all  in  that  dear  home  circle,  and 
that  his  chair  is  vacant  by  that  fireside." 

There  was  this  distinguishing  feature  about  the 
home  that  marked  it  from  the  day  it  was  established 
at  Franklin  until  its  final  setting  up  at  Baltimore  : 
this  was  its  hospitality.  There  was  always  a  place 
at  the  board  and  in  the  guest  chamber  for  the  friend, 
for  the  minister,  and  for  their  households.  As  in  the 
Shunem  home,  there  was  the  chamber  on  the  wall, 
with  the  bed  and  stool  and  candlestick,  where  the 
weary  prophet  might  turn  in  and  find  a  welcome 
rest.  And  there  was  this  most  delightful  way  of 
dispensing  hospitality — every  one  was  made  to  feel 
at  home.  No  guest  could  for  a  moment  feel  that 
the  presence  of  strangers  made  any  change  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  household.  Everything  seemed 
to  go  on  as  usual.  The  family  did  not  seem  to  be 
disturbed  by  the  presence  of  the  guest,  and  the 
guest  was  not  disturbed  by  any  unnecessary  atten- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  family.     One  quite  familiar 


2^6  Memorial. 


with  the  home  life  m  New  York  remarks :  *'  One 
thing  he  felt  most  deeply  the  last  ten  years  was  the 
want  of  a  home  where  he  could  gather  his  friends 
around  him." 

Dr.  Dickson  knew  well  how  to  make  his  friends 
at  ease  in  his  home.  With  that  ease  and  suavity 
and  politeness  of  which  he  was  master,  he  could 
make  any  one  who  entered  his  house  feel  easy  and 
comfortable,  and  when  they  left,  the  guests  were 
almost  persuaded  that  they  had  conferred  the  favor, 
and  not  the  master  of  the  house.  Yet  with  all  this 
there  was  no  merely  empty  display  of  feeling  nor  of 
sentiment.  It  was  the  natural  feeling  of  the  man  ; 
it  was  his  native  politeness  giving  expression  to  the 
feelings  of  his  heart. 

But  the  change  came  yet  once  more,  and  the 
Baltimore  home  was  broken  up  at  the  call  of  the 
church.  The  Board  of  Missions  must  be  served. 
It  was  the  voice  of  the  church.  It  seemed  to  the 
busy  pastor  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  and  like  Abra- 
ham of  old  he  struck  his  tent  and  ''journeyed,  still 
going  toward  the  South."  The  home  was  trans- 
ferred to  New  York.  And  in'the  great  city  with  its 
busy  scenes  he  had  less  time  than  ever  for  the  com- 
forts and  pleasures  of  home.  But  when  the  day's 
work  was  over  he  was  glad  to  find  rest  for  a  time 
in  the  home  where  he  had  fixed  his  abode  as  a  mere 
stepping  stone  to  work. 

During  the  ten  years'  sojourn  in  New  York,  the 
circumstances  of  the  home  were  somewhat  changed. 
Housekeeping  was  interrupted  and  rooms  were  occu- 


The  Home  Life.  24^ 

pied  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city.  The  time  of  the 
Secretary  was  called  for  at  the  Mission  Rooms,  and 
little  was  seen  of  him  save  in  the  evenings.  All 
the  sweet  amenities  of  home  were  kept  in  view  as 
before,  yet  there  was  the  early  departure  for  the  of- 
fice in  the  mornings,  and  the  return  in  the  even- 
ings, weary,  jaded  and  exhausted,  when  cheerful- 
ness became  almost  an  effort,  and  when  the  light 
seemed  almost  to  go  out  in  his  home  nature.  But 
he  took  the  same  interest  in  his  home.  He  strove 
to  be  cheerful  and  to  keep  up  the  old  ways  of  the 
household,  and  to  make  home  happy  as  before. 

The  members  of  this  family  were  not  numerous, 
but  they  formed  a  circle  that  was  almost  com- 
plete in  itself,  as  far  as  completeness  can  be  predi- 
cated of  anything  in  this  world.  When  the  work 
of  the  other  members  of  the  household  is  done  here, 
there  will  be  a  glad  re-union  in  the  realm  of  the 
beautiful  And  this  reunion  of  a  family,  all  of  whose 
associations  were  so  pure  and  good  and  lovely,  will 
be  a  scene  to  make  the  angels  glad,  and  will  add 
new  glories  to  the  home  where  all  God's  people  will 
find  their  rest  and  their  joy  forever  I 


X.     THE  EVENING  AND   THE  MORN- 
ING. 


*'/  have  looked  with  wonder  upon  those  who,  in  sor- 
row and  privation,  and  bodily  discomfort,  and  sickness, 
zvJiich  is  the  shadozv  of  death,  have  worked  right  on 
to  the  accomplisJiment  of  their  great  purposes  ;  toiling 
snitch,  enduring  nmch,  fulfilling  much : — and  then, 
ivith  shattered  nei  ves,  and  sinews  all  unstrung,  have 
laid  themselves  down  in  the  grave,  and  slept  the  sleep 
of  death — and  the  world  talks  of  them  while  they 
sleepy 

Longfellow. 

"/  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course,  I  have  kept  the  faith :  henceforth  tJiere  is  laid 
tip  for  me  a  crozvn  of  righteousness ^ 

iL  Tim.  IV.  7,  8. 


X.     THE    EVENING   AND  THE  MORNING. 


It  is  related  of  a  celebrated  French  Marshall  who 
fell  in  battle  at  the  head  of  his  army,  that  his  name 
was  still  continued  on  the  roll,  and  called  with  those 
of  the  other  ofBcers,  when  a  soldier  would  cry  out : 
"Dead  on  the  field."  In  this  way  there  was  a  con- 
tinual remembrance  of  the  dead  soldier  and  of  his 
prowess  in  battle.  And  if  it  were  proper  that  such 
honor  should  be  paid  to  any  soldier  in  the  Church 
militant,  it  would  be  most  worthily  bestowed  on  our 
departed  officer.  He  stood  in  the  forefront  of  the 
battle  in  this  noble  cause  of  Home  Missions,  giving 
his  strength  and  vigor  of  mature  manhood  to  it,  la- 
boring for  it  in  season  and  out  of  season  ;  laboring 
with  pen  and  personal  argument ;  laboring  in  the  of- 
fice ;  but  laboring  most  effectively  of  all  in  the  great 
Assemblies  of  the  Church ;  waking  up  its  energies  ; 
stimulating  its  zeal ;  and  going  forward  in  the  very 
van  of  the  march  of  the  Church,  and  leading  it  as  it 
had  never  been  led  before  in  this  great  work  of 
evangelizing  this  wonderful  country  for  God  and  his 
Christ. 

How  the  prophetic  view  of  this  country's  great- 
ness, that  seemed  revealed  to  him,  was  conveyed 
to  the  church  by  his  public  addresses,  the  church 
itself  is  witness  and  will  abundantly  testify.     And 


2^2  Memorial. 


now  that  he  has  passed  away  if  it  can  be  said  of  any 
one  of  our  dead  heroes  with  precise  and  literal  truth  ; 
''Dead  on  the  field,"  it  can  be  so  proclaimed  of  our 
late  Secretary, 

From  the  Madison  Assembly  the  way  led  to  New 
York,  thence  to  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  he 
enjoyed  the  tender  ministries  of  careful  and  watch- 
ful friends.  Then  the  family  went  to  Pittsford,  Ver- 
mont, where  the  summer  was  to  be  passed,  near  the 
mountains,  and  where  it  was  hoped  the  grateful 
shades  of  the  country  might  bring  comfort  and  peace. 
Daily  exercise  was  taken,  with  long  rides  along  the 
country  roads,  where  the  meadows  and  the  wheat- 
fields  lay  on  either  side,  and  where  the  notes  of  the 
robin  and  the  brown  thrush  reminded  him  of  his 
boyhood's  home.  At  other  times  they  would  take 
walks  down  through  the  meadows  and  by  the  side 
of  the  cornfields ;  and  then  they  would  climb  away 
up  the  rugged  mountain's  side,  seeking  wild  flowers, 
and  bringing  home  the  bright  golden  rods  and  the 
sweet  Williams  and  the  meadow  pinks  and  violets. 
It  reminded  them  of  the  early  Franklin  home,  and 
the  delightful  days  when  the  world  was  all  new  in 
the  way  of  professional  life.  Then,  when  the  weather 
was  unpleasant,  books  would  be  procured  from  the 
village  library  and  the  time  would  be  spent  in 
reading. 

In  these  quiet  pursuits  the  summer  glided  by, 
Se2:)tember  came,  and  with  it  the  return  to  Norwich, 
and  then  to  New  York,  where  a  little  necessary  busi- 
ness was  transacted,  and  then  on  to  Philadelphia  to 


The  Evenmg  and  the  Morning.  2^3 

visit  a  dear  friend.  Here,  in  the  society  of  cheerful 
and  cultivated  friends,  the  days  passed  very  pleasant- 
ly ;  here  too  he  attended  and  enjoyed  many  of  the 
meetings  of  the  Presbyterian  Council.  From  Phila- 
delphia he  went  to  Baltimore,  where  a  house  had 
been  already  secured. 

All  his  people  had  been  kind,  but  Baltimore  had 
been  the  last  place  of  his  ministry,  and  his  remem- 
brances of  that  people  and  that  place  were  very  vivid 
and  very  grateful  to  him  ;  and  the  thought  of  pass- 
ing his  last  days  amongst  the  people  whom  he  had 
gathered  into  the  fold  and  had  been  instrumental  in 
edifying  and  comforting  and  strengthening  in  the 
Gospel  commended  itself  to  his  heart.  There  was 
the  hope  at  times  of  further  labor  and  further  service 
in  the  Board.  This  work  was  still  at  times  in  his 
heart.  He  could  not  get  entirely  away  from  the 
thoughts-  and  plans  and  purposes  that  had  borne  like 
a  mighty  burden  on  his  heart  for  the  last  ten  years. 
Then  the  feeling  of  great  weakness  would  come 
over  him  and  he  would  reflect  on  the  situation  as 
being  in  the  Lord's  keeping:  "The  Lord  is  very 
strong  ;  He  is  infinite  in  His  resources  ;  He  can  carry 
on  the  work  without  my  poor  help  ;  perhaps  I  have 
depended  too  much  on  this  frail  arm  of  flesh,  and 
have  had  too  much  confidence  in  this  poor  judgment 
of  my  own  :  the  Lord  will  do  what  is  right  and 
best." 

For  a  while  after  returning  to  Baltimore  he  walk- 
ed about  the  streets  and  was  delighted  to  meet  and 
converse  with  his  old'  friends,  who  exerted  them- 


2S4  Memorial. 


selves  to  cheer  him  and  to  throw  sunlight  upon  his 
pathway.  He  attended  Westminster  and  other 
churches,  but  only  as  a  hearer. 

His  hand  had  not  forgotten  its  cunning,  nor  had 
his  tongue  cleaved  to  the  roof  of  his  mouth,  yet  there 
was  too  much  physical  weakness  for  preaching, 
and  the  nervous  system  was  too  severely  shaken 
for  any  public  service. 

But  he  was  glad  to  hear  the  Gospel.  It  was  sweet- 
ness and  comfort  to  his  soul,  and  he  could  appreciate 
in  all  its  fulness  the  comforts  of  Gospel  hearing,  as 
they  had  often  been  represented  to  him  by  his 
hearers  in  his  old  pastoral  days. 

In  the  early  summer  of  1881  he  made  a  visit  to 
his  older  brother,  John,  who  resides  near  Rock  Is- 
land, Illinois,  His  father  had  fallen  asleep  years 
before,  and  the  only  brothers  and  sisters  he  had 
living,  resided  in  that  neighborhood.  He  enjoyed 
this  visit  very  much.  Much  of  the  old  feeling  of 
oppression  remained,  but  it  was  almost  forgotten 
in  the  gentle  ministries  of  his  family  and  relatives. 
He  and  his  brother  John  would  sit  out  under  the 
shadows  of  the  apple  trees  and  talk  by  the  hour  of 
the  old,  delightful  days  of  the  past, — their  boyhood 
days — their  sports — their  youthful  dreams,  their 
hopes  for  the  life  just  opening  out  before  them,  and 
of  the  bright  golden  future  they  anticipated.  Then 
they  would  talk  of  their  own  personal  hopes  of 
heaven,  their  faith  in  Christ  and  their  enjoyment  of 
His  service.  Then  their  conversation  would  take  a 
tenderer  turn,  and  they  would  speak  of  the  depart- 


The  Evening  and  the  Morning,         2^§ 

ed  ones ;  the  mother  with  the  soft  voice,  and  eyes 
so  deep  and  sweet,  who  had  led  them  to  the  Saviour, 
and  who  was  now  in  glory  awaiting  their  coming. 
Then  they  would  talk  of  their  father  with  his  great, 
strong  nature,  and  his  trust  in  God  ;  and  then  they 
would  speak  of  others  of  their  friends  who  had  gone 
up  to  be  with  the  Lord,  and  try  to  imagine  what  the 
feeling  would  be  to  meet  and  strike  hands  with  all 
these  glorified  ones  in  the  courts  of  the  Lord's 
House  when  all  would  be  perfect  and  holy  forever ! 
The  return  to  the  Baltimore  home  once  more 
brought  something  of  rest  to  the  physical  system, 
but  there  was  still  the  feeling  of  unrest  to  the 
brain.  It  had  been  overworked,  perhaps  uncon- 
sciously, yet  still  overtasked,  and  the  results  were 
following — a  feeling  of  constant,  oppressive  weari- 
ness by  day  and  by  night.  That  delicately  strung 
nervous  system  had  been  overstrained,  and  now  was 
relaxing  and  could  not  be  brought  into  harmony 
again.  That  great  active  brain  so  full  of  schemes 
for  the  good  of  the  Church  and  the  welfare  of  men 
had  been  overtaxed.  The  blood  that  had  been 
forced  up  from  as  manly  a  heart  as  ever  beat  in  a 
human  bosom  had  flooded  that  brain,  as  he  had 
labored  in  public  discourse,  until  its  fine  organism 
had  been  injured  and  its  strength  was  sapped.  The 
time  was  drawing  near  when  the  golden  cord  should 
be  loosed  ;  when  the  golden  bowl  should  be  broken  ; 
when  the  pitcher  should  be  broken  at  the  fountain 
and  the  wheel  broken  at  the  cistern. 


2^6  Memorial. 


Nor  was  all  this  unexpected  nor  unrealized  by 
Dr.  Dickson.  Long  before  he  had  left  the  office  at 
New  York  he  had  spoken  of  his  decease,  which  he 
should  accomplish,  ere  long,  perhaps  in  the  Secreta- 
ry's chair.  He  remembered  his  mother's  sudden 
departure ;  he  had  knowledge  of  his  own  frail  con- 
stitution, although  he  had  very  sekiom  been  sick, 
and  had  spoken  to  a  few  intimate  friends  of  the 
probability  that  he  would  ere  long  be  called  away 
from  earth.  But  the  thought  gave  him  neither  pain 
nor  uneasiness.  It  was  a  part  of  the  history  of 
every  life,  and  would  be  a  part  of  his  own  history, 
and  he  could  look  upon  it  without  fear  and  with 
calmness  and  tranquility.  He  had  looked  at  the 
change  too  often  to  be  distressed  at  the  thought  of 
its  coming ;  he  had  made  the  matter  a  study,  and 
the  prospect  of  the  coming  life  in  Christ  was  pleas- 
ant, and  the  hope  of  seeing  the  Saviour  in  His  glo- 
ry was  most  delightful.  And  if  the  work  here  was 
done  ;  if  the  warfare  was  accomplished,  and  the 
Lord  had  need  of  him  in  the  perfect  kingdom,  then 
His  will  be  done. 

He  was  no  longer  seen  on  the  street.  Latterly 
it  had  been  noticed  that  his  footsteps  had  become 
slow  and  wearisome  ;  he  did  not  notice,  as  quickly 
as  he  had  been  wont,  the  faces  of  his  friends,  and 
his  greetings  were  not  as  quick  and  animated 
as  formerly.  The  weariness  was  oppressing  him, 
and  the  day  came  when  he  went  forth  no  more  from 
his  house.  Anxious  inquiries  came  to  the  home  ; 
friends  called  to  sympathize,  but  there  was  need  of 


The  Eventing  and  the  Morning,       2§y 

rest  and  quiet,  and  he  seldom  saw  those  who  called- 
in  his  own  quiet  chamber,  ministered  to  by  ten- 
der hands,  and  cared  for  by  a  devoted  family,  all 
was  peace.  Disease  still  made  progress  and  wasted 
his  system,  yet  his  mind  was  calm  and  his  faith 
was  fixed  on  God.  Sometimes  the  oppressed  brain 
gave  less  light  than  usual ;  at  other  times  he  was 
his  old  self,  full  of  cheerfulness  and  comfort  and 
hope.  His  days  passed  as  do  the  natural  days — 
sometimes  the  cloud,  the  darkness,  the  shutting  in 
of  cheerfulness  ;  at  others  the  calm,  sweet  sun- 
shine, the  odor  of  blossoms,  and  the  singing  of 
birds.  And  in  those  pleasant,  sunlit  days,  now  so 
sweet  to  his  family  to  remember,  there  was  so  much 
calmness  and  cheerfulness,  and  hope,  and  joy,  that 
it  seemed  as  though  the  whole  atmosphere  was  full 
of  fragrance  and  the  voice  of  singing. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1881,  feeling  that  he  could 
no  longer  hope  to  return  to  the  duties  of  the  office, 
Dr.  Dickson  sent  in  his  formal  resignation.  This 
was  accepted  by  the  Board  with  many  expressions  of 
sorrow  for  the  ground  of  the  resignation,  and  of  sym- 
pathy with  him  in  his  afflictions.  This  resignation 
caused  the  Secretary  many  a  feeling  of  regret.  It 
was  a  work  he  had  enjoyed  to  the  full,  with  all  its 
perplexities  and  difficulties.  It  was  adapted  to  his 
tastes,  and  had  become  so  much  a  matter  of  habit 
that  it  was  almost  like  giving  up  his  home  and  his 
household.  Still,  in  this,  as  in  other  things,  there 
was  the  disposition  to  bow  to  the  mind  of  Provi- 
dence, and  to  say  ''the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done." 


2^8  Memorial, 

It  is  probable  that  up  to  this  time  he  had  felt 
that  perhaps  his  health  might  be  restored,  through 
God's  blessing  attending  medical  advice  and  cessa- 
tion from  labor.  But  now  it  was  evident  that  other 
hands  must  take  up  the  work  where  he  had  laid  it 
down,  and  other  hearts  bear  the  burden  he  had 
borne  so  long,  and  so  the  letter  was  sent  in  for  the 
acceptance  of  the  Board. 

There  is  something  inexpressibly  solemn  in  lay- 
ing down  a  great  work  and  feeling  that  it  is  for  the 
last  time.  The  memories  of  the  past  gather,  and 
its  voices  are  in  the  ear  sad  and  mournful  as  the 
wind  sighing  through  the  majestic  pine  forest. 
There  are  possibilities  and  hopes  and  expectations 
all  laid  to  rest.  The  book  is  closed  and  sealed,  like 
that  of  the  one  in  the  Apocalypse,  with  seven  seals, 
and  but  awaits  the  future. 

It  was  with  sorrow  that  the  Board  accepted  the 
resignation  of  one  who  had  spent  ten  of  the  best 
years  of  his  life  in  serving  the  church  under  its  di- 
rection. His  genial  manners,  his- great  power  as  a 
public  speaker  in  behalf  of  Home  Missions  and  his 
entire  devotion  to  the  work  had  greatly  endeared  him 
to  the  members  of  the  Board  as  well  as  to  the 
missionaries  and  to  the  Church  at  large.  In  part- 
ing with  him  the  Board  adopted  and  placed  on  its 
books  the  following : 

"Minute  on  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Dickson,  adopt- 
ed by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  June   i8,  1881. 

In  accepting  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Dr.  Dickson 
as  one  of  its  Secretaries,  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions desires  to  say — 


The  Eveniiig  and  the  Morning.         2§g 


1st.  That  it  gives  them  unfeigned  sorrow  to  be 
compelled,  by  reason  of  his  protracted  illness,  to  ac- 
cede to  this  request,  for  it  severs  a  connection  that 
has  lasted  nearly  eleven  years,  and  deprives  them 
of  the  pleasant  smiles  and  kindly  greetings,  every 
month,  of  a  brother  beloved  and  a  co-laborer  in  the 
Masters's  vineyard. 

2nd.  That  by  this  act  the  Church  is  deprived  of 
the  eloquence  that  has  often  roused  her  pastors, 
elders  and  members  to  consider  the  spiritual  desti- 
tution of  this  broad  land,  of  the  efficient  services  of 
one  of  the  most  conscientious  and  devoted  of  her 
officers,  and  of  a  representative  always  welcome  at 
the  meetings  of  Synods  and  Presbyteries. 

3rd.  That,  while  they  bow  submissively  to  the 
ordering  of  Providence  which  renders  the  resigna- 
tion a  necessity,  they  will  still  continue  to  pray 
that  God  may  soon  restore  his  servant  to  his  accus- 
tomed health,  and  make  him  more  useful  than  ever 
in  the  Church  and  in  the  world. 

4th.  That  they  deeply  sympathize  with  Doctor 
Dickson  and  his  dear  family  in  this  sore  affliction, 
and  commend  them  to  God  and  the  word  of  His 
grace,  which  is  able  to  build  them  up,  and  to  give 
them  an  inheritance  among  all  them  which  are 
sanctified." 

Although  confined  to  his  house  and  shut  out  from 
the  scenes  of  activity,  such  as  he  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  in  the  years  of  the  past,  the  time 
did  not  seem  long.  There  was  the  reading  of  the 
Word,  the  discussion  of  the  religious  and  secular 


26o  Memorial. 


news  of  the  day,  the  news  from  friends  who  sent 
their  greetings,  and  at  times  the  faces  of  friends 
bearing  sunshine  into  his  room,  and  the  days  really 
seemed  short  although  there  was  the  feeling  of 
waiting. 

After  separating  himself  from  all  farther  thought 
of  labor  in  the  future  there  was  more  of  the  inward 
communion  with  his  own  soul.  There  was  the 
looking  forward  to  the  close  not  only  of  actual  con- 
tact with  work,  but  with  the  work  itself.  There 
was  the  feeling  that  the  time  of  the  departure  was 
drawing  nigh. 

During  these  waiting  days,  the  presence  of  his 
little  grandchildren,  who  often  came  to  see  him,  was 
a  source  of  never  ending  pleasure  to  him.  He  lov- 
ed to  have  them  curl  themselves  up  by  his  side,  as 
he  reclined  on  the  sofa  or  on  his  bed,  and  go  to 
sleep  under  his  protection ;  then,  when  they  awoke, 
he  loved  to  look  into  their  fresh  young  eyes  and 
try  to  sound  their  depths,  and  to  talk  to  them  in  the 
most  simple  manner  and  listen  to  their  innocent 
prattle,  and  be  charmed  from  his  weariness  by  their 
young,  strong  natures.  It  was  one  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  the  man  to  love  the  presence  and  the 
prattle  of  little  babies.  His  heart  went  out  to  them, 
and  he  was  never  too  busy  nor  too  weary  to  give 
them  his  attention. 

After  the  rest  of  the  night  and  the  morning  re- 
freshment, he  desired,  first  of  all,  to  have  the  word 
of  God  read  to  him,  then  some  restful  religious  book, 
then  portions  of  the  newspapers  of  the  day.     Dur- 


The  Evening  a7id  the  Morning.  261 

ing  this  reading  he  often  made  remarks  showing 
his  interest  in  the  subject,  and  his  appreciation  of 
the  matter  read.  Then,  if  able,  he  conversed  about 
general  topics,  evincing  an  interest  in  things  that 
were  passing,  and  a  pleasure  in  the  prosperity  of 
the  church.  And  during  all  his  confinement  to 
his  couch,  until  unconsciousness  approached,  he  al- 
ways asked  the  blessing  of  God  on  his  meals  as 
they  were  brought  to  him  ;  and  at  such  times  he  al- 
ways remembered  the  faithful  colored  servant,  Julie, 
who  brought  them,  with  a  smile  and  a  word  of  thanks. 
Sometimes,  however,  during  these  last  days  his  ner- 
vous system  was  so  much  disturbed  and  his  unrest 
so  great,  that  these  pleasant  scenes  were  interrupt- 
ed, and  the  shadows  would  gather  around  him. 
But  the  sunshine  would  break  in  and  he  would  be 
cheerful  and  hopeful  and  joyful  once  more,  and  de- 
lighted to  hear  the  word  and  to  talk  about  the  pre- 
ciousness  of  Jesus.  At  such  times  there  was  many 
a  delightful  interview  with  his  immediate  friends, 
with  words  and  smiles  and  hopes  and  prospects  sug- 
gested and  talked  over  and  anticipated.  But  these 
scenes  seem  almost  as  sacred  as  the  interview  of 
Moses  and  Elijah  with  the  Lord,  on  the  Mount  of 
Transfiguration,  when  they  spake  of  his  decease 
which  he  should  accomplish  at  Jerusalem.  They 
are  just  now  all  too  sacred  to  be  discussed,  and 
must  remain  locked  up  in  the  memory  and  conscious- 
ness of  those  who  were  present,  and  who  watch  and 
wait  until  the  time  of  the  re-union  shall  come. 
But  there  was  no  time  when  he  did  not  feel  the 


262  Memorial. 


strong  Rock  beneath  his  feet.  There  was  not  a 
moment  when  he  did  not  feel  underneath  him  the 
everlasting  arms,  as  he  quietly  waited  for  the  morn- 
ing, and  knew  that  it  would  soon  dawn.  It  needed 
not  that  there  should  be  the  long,  minute  testimo- 
ny, as  heart  and  flesh  were  failing,  that  the  Lord  was 
with  him.  It  needed  not,  for  the  comfort  of  his 
friends,  or  the  faith  of  the  Church,  that  he  should 
utter  last  words  of  testimony  that  he  died  a  Chris- 
tian. For  fifty  years  his  life  and  his  words  had  all 
testified  to  this.  From  the  day  when  he  had  stood 
up  in  the  old  North  East  church,  when  fourteen 
years  of  age,  and  solemnly  and  publicly  professed 
to  be  the  Lord's,  his  whole  life  had  been  a  solemn, 
earnest  testimony  to  his  faith  in  Jesus.  And  now, 
as  a  matter  of  course,  when  the  end  was  approach- 
ing, he  felt  that  Jesus  was  more  precious  to  his  soul 
than  ever. 

On  Monday,  the  twenty-fifth  of  July,  he  was  out 
of  his  rooms  for  the  last  time,  but  walked  from  one 
to  the  other  until  within  a  few.  days  of  his  death. 
From  this  time  he  saw  no  one  but  the  family  and 
the  physicians.  His  depression  vanished,  and  he 
thought  and  conversed  only  of  pleasant  things. 
The  past  came  back  to  him,  and  its  memories  were 
all  golden.  He  talked  of  his  boyhood's  days ;  of 
the  home  by  the  lake  side  ;  of  the  swelling  music 
of  the  grand  lake,  and  of  the  old  church  and  the 
people  he  had  known  when  life  was  new.  And  for 
every  one  he  had  words  of  commendation.  Then 
he  would  talk  of  his  -college  days  and  the  scenes 


The  Eveiiifig  and  the  Morning.         26 j 

and  recollections  that  are  always  so  pleasant  to  a 
student  :  and  everything  seemed  bathed  in  a  soft, 
mellow  light  that  gave  him  so  much  pleasure  and  joy. 

The  thoughtful  kindness  of  his  friends — their 
messages  of  love — their  little  -offerings  of  fruits  and 
flowers — touched  him  greatly.  The  tears  would  of- 
ten gather  as  he  would  respond  "How  kind  and 
thoughtful." 

The  early  days  of  September  came,  and  it  was 
evident  to  his  friends  that  the  angels  were  waiting 
for  the  beloved  one,  and  that  he  was  lingering  on 
the  very  threshold  of  this  life,  and  just  ready  to 
pass  over  to  the  life  that  is  beyond.  On  the  third 
he  spoke  with  difficulty,  and  could  take  nothing  but 
fluid  nourishment.  On  Friday,  the  ninth,  the  shad- 
ows began  falling  thickly,  and  on  Saturday,  the 
tenth,  he  was  unconscious.  For  two  days  he  re- 
mained shut  out  from  all  that  was  passing  here. 
Whether  he  was  conscious  of  the  coming  of  the 
Lord  ;  whether  he  had  visions  of  the  angels  and  the 
open  gates,  as  Stephen  had,  we  do  not  know  ;  no 
mortal  can  tell. 

"Folded  eyes  see  brighter  colors  than  the  open  ever  do." 

But  the  morning  came  at  last ;  the  day  dawned, 
and  the  shadows  fled  away,  and  henceforth  to  him 
there  was  to  be  no  more  night,  but  that  glorious, 
blessed  day  where  the  shadows  never  fall. 

During  these  two  days  he  had  lain  entirely  pas- 
sive, with  closed  eyes,  apparently  unconscious  of 
all  that  was  passing,  yet  with  a  smile  so  sweet  and 


264  Memorial. 


heavenly  wreathing  his  countenance  that  it  seemed 
as  though  there  was  an  inner  vision  sweeter  and 
more  beautiful  than  any  that  belongs  to  this  world. 
There  must  have  been  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  that 
left  its  beautiful  reflection  on  his  countenance  and 
testified  to  God's  wonderful  faithfulness  when  heart 
and  flesh  were  failing. 

An  enthusiastic  traveler  once  approached  the 
walls  of  the  Holy  City,  Jerusalem.  And  as  he  traced 
the  outlines  of  its  gray  walls,  and  gate,  and  tower, 
and  bartizan  were  revealed  to  his  eager  vision,  the 
wonderful  memories  of  the  past  clustered  around 
him,  sweet  and  beautiful  as  the  night  visions  when 
the  stars  come  out  in  their  splendor.  David  was 
there  tuning  his  harp  to  the  songs  of  Zion.  The 
gorgeous  train  of  Solomon  swept  by  in  all  its  glory, 
and  disappeared  around  the  shoulder  of  Mount  Zion. 
Prophets  and  kings  mingled  in  the  scene ;  and,  as 
they  disappeared.  He  who  was  greater  than  all  the 
prophets  and  kings,  followed  by  his  disciples,  came 
up  from  the  way  to  Jericho,  and  down  the  side  of 
Olivet,  and  across  the  valley  of  the  Kedron,  and  in 
at  the  golden  gate,  amid  the  waving  of  palms  and 
the  cries  of  "■  hosanna  to  the  son  of  David  !  "  And 
the  pilgrim's  heart  thrilled,  and  his  pulse  leaped  un- 
der the  excitement  of  the  scene  and  its  blessed 
memories.  And  as  he  crossed  the  threshold  of  the 
Jaffa  Gate,  the  words  of  the  Psalmist  came  to  his 
mind,  sweet  as  the  melody  of  flutes,  **  My  feet 
shall  stand  within  thy  gates  O  Jerusalem  !  As  we 
have  heard  so  have  we  seen  in  the  city  of  the  Lord 
of  Hosts,  in  the  city  of  our  God !" 


The  Evening  aftd  the  Morning.       26^ 

So  it  must  have  been  on  that  sweet  September 
morning,  just  as  the  Sabbath  bells  were  ringing 
upon  earth,  and  the  yet  sweeter  bells  were  ringing 
in  heaven,  and  God's  servant,  just  ready  for  the 
transfiguration  scene,  caught  his  first  glimpse  of  the 
amethystine  walls,  and  the  wide  open  gates,  and  the 
soft  light  of  God  shimmering  through,  and  listened 
to  the  faintly  heard  strains  of  the  music  that  was 
wafted  down,  and  noticed  the  thickly  gathering 
hosts  of  the  angels  ;  and,  sweeter  and  fairer  and 
more  beautiful  than  all — "One  like  to  the  Son  of 
Man  "  beckoning  him  up  to  the  light,  up  to  the  glo- 
ry, up  to  the  home  of  the  redeemed.  There  was 
joy  in  his  heart,  born  not  of  earth,  but  of  heaven. 
And  that  joy  was  expressing  itself,  not  in  words,  but 
wreathing  his  countenance  with  smiles,  and  giving 
him,  who  can  doubt,  a  most  delightful  foretaste  of 
the  glory  of  heaven. 

God  never  forgets  his  children,  either  in  the  clouds 
or  in  the  sunshine ;  and  when  to  the  poor  vision  of 
sense  everything  is  fading  and  vanishing  away,  to 
the  blessed  experience  of  faith  His  arm  seems 
strongest.  His  word  seems  sweetest,  and  His  pres- 
ence most  real  and  comforting. 

And  so  he  passed  in  to  stand  before  the  throne  ! 
It  was  early  morning  upon  earth,  the  morning  of 
the  eleventh  day  of  September,  1881,  which  was 
the  Sabbath,  when  he  went  up  with  the  convoy  of 
angels  to  pass  through  the  gates  into  the  City,  and 
worship  before  the  throne,  and  keep  the  eternal 
Sabbath  of  the  Lord. 


266  Memorial. 


It  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be.  Eye 
hath  not  seen  nor  ear  heard  the  wondrous  things  of 
the  Eternal  City.  Paul  could  not  reveal  the  glories 
that  threw  their  broad  splendor  over  his  soul  as 
he  was  caught  up  into  the  third  heaven.  And  the 
gentle  hearted  John  labored  and  strove  to  tell  us 
something  of  the  beauty  and  melody  and  joy  of 
the  place,  yet  labored  almost  in  vain  ;  for  mortal  lips 
could  not  utter  the  language  of  Canaan,  neither 
could  mortal  ears  take  in  the  entrancing  utterances, 
had  they  been  breathed  from  angels'  lips. 

Yet,  withal,  the  eye  of  faith  would  try  and  follow 
the  translated  one  and  strive  to  behold  some  faint 
glimpses  of  his  glory  and  his  joy.  There  was  the 
presence  of  the  Saviour  whom  he  had  so  much  loved 
here,  and  whose  presence  was  the  joy  of  his  soul ; 
this  first  of  all.  Then  there  was  the  meeting  of 
friends  ;  the  sweet  voiced  mother  ;  the  strong  heart- 
ed father ;  the  little  babe,  so  beautiful  on  earth,  yet 
still  more  beautiful  in  heaven,  who  had  reached  the 
Home  before  him  ;  friends  without  number  who  had 
been  gathered  into  the  kingdom  and  were  ready  to 
welcome  him  to  glory,  and  join  with  him  in  the  first 
burst  of  the  new  song  that  is  sung  continually  before 
the  throne  of  God  ! 

This  departed  servant  of  God  had,  while  upon 
earth,  a  wondrous  conception  of  the  greatness  of  the 
missionary  field.  He  had  taken  in,  as  God  had  re- 
vealed it  to  him,  this  great  American  Nation  as  a 
people  to  be  won  for  God,  as  few  Philanthropists  or 
Christians  have  been  able  to  do,  and  it  had  thrilled 


The  Evening  a7id  the  Mor7iing.         26 j 


his  soul  until,  in  his  eager,  impetuous  zeal,  he  had 
teen  overborne  in  the  work.  But  now  that  he  is 
lifted  up  above  the  utmost  bounds  of  the  everlasting 
hills,  and,  with  vision  cleared  of  all  mortal  restraint, 
looks  abroad  upon  the  vast  creation  of  God,  and  no- 
tices the  eternal  kingdom  with  its  glories,  of  which 
every  soul  that  is  ransomed  from  earth  becomes  a 
priest  and  a  king,  he  rejoices  that  now  the  field  of 
service  is  not  the  world  only  but  the  grand  Universe 
of  God. 

It  must  be  that  God  has  some  special  sphere  of 
service  for  his  ministers  who  have  worn  out  their 
lives  here  in  the  upbuilding  of  his  kingdom.  It 
must  be  that  they  have  some  distinguished  honor, 
as  crowns  radiant  with  the  jewels  of  eternity,  and 
robes  made  white  for  priestly  service  are  distributed 
to  those  who  have  overcome,  through  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb  !  But  of  this  glorified  servant  of  God, 
passed  away  in  his  yet  mature  manhood,  worn  out 
while  the  day  was  yet  in  its  strength,  consumed  by 
the  fires  of  a  zeal  that  knew  no  bounds,  at  an  age 
when  many  are  in  their  prime,  we  know  this  ;  the 
angels  have  enrolled  his  name  amongst  those  of  the 
noble  army  of  martyrs  of  whom  it  is  written  :  ''these 
are  they  who  have  come  up  out  of  great  tribulation, 
and  have  washed  their  robes  and  made  them  white 
in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ;  therefore  are  they  before 
the  throne  of  God." 

The'  services  connected  with  the  funeral  were  at 
the  Westminster  church,  on  the  fourteenth  day  of 
September.     There  was  sadness  in  many  hearts  in 


268  Memorial. 


the  city  where  he  was  so  well  known  and  so  greatly 
loved.  This  was  evinced  by  the  very  large  con- 
course of  people,  and  the  great  number  of  clergy- 
men of  other  denominations  who  were  present  on 
the  occasion.  The  services  were  solemn  and  appro- 
priate, as  recorded  in  another  portion  of  this  volume. 
He  was  borne  to  his  burial  with  the  conviction  on 
the  part  of  his  friends  that  he  died  as  a  martyr  to 
the  cause  of  Home  Missions,  and  that  the  rest  would 
be  sweet  in  the  more  blessed  and  glorious  sphere 
where  the  unwearied  soul  shall  serve  God  in  His 
sanctuary  forever.  And  as  the  solemn  words  were 
uttered :  **In  the  hope  of  a  glorious  resurrection,  we 
commit  earth  to  earth  and  ashes  to  ashes,"  there 
was  the  conviction  that  this  body  that  had  been  such 
a  fit  temple  for  the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  left  there 
to  perish.  The  angels  watch  over  it.  They  keep 
guard  around  his  tomb  as  they  did  around  that  of 
Joseph  of  Arimathea  until  the  sleeping  Son  of  Man 
should  come  forth  from  his  repose.  All  unseen  of 
mortal  eye  they  will  watch  around  this  Christian 
man's  tomb  until  the  coming  of  the  great  Resurrec- 
tion morning,  when  the  dead  shall  be  raised  incor- 
ruptible and  appear  in  all  the  beauty  of  the  glorified 
estate  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air ! 

And  so  he  was  left  to  his  rest,  that  sweet  Septem- 
ber day,  with  the  thought  that  in  the  higher  realm 
of  God's  temple  there  was  a  glorified  soul,  still  carry- 
ing forward  the  work  of  the  most  High,  while  the 
body  was  here  awaiting  the  time  of  its  redemption, 
when  it  too  shall  join  in  the  same  service. 


The  Eve7iing  and  the  Mornt?ig,         26g 

Who  can  doubt  that  there  is  service  in  Heaven ; 
who  can  fail  to  see  from  all  the  teachings  of  divine 
inspiration  that  the  life  here,  with  all  its  grand  pos- 
sibilities and  its  glowing  scenes  of  beauty  and  majes- 
ty, is  but  the  prelude  to  the  life  to  come  ?  Who  can 
fail  to  notice  that  God  talks  to  us  here  as  though 
He  considered  us  as  standing  in  the  outer  courts  of 
the  temple  of  life,  and  that  there  remains  for  us  some 
better  thing,  when  we  shall  be  admitted  into  that 
within  the  vail — God's  Holy  of  Holies,  where  no 
shadows  fall,  and  where  the  Lord  God  and'the  Lamb 
are  the  light  thereof !  And  in  that  inner  Temple, 
where  palms  await  the  victors  and  harps  are  tuned 
for  singers,  there  will  be  a  sphere  of  service  as  much 
above  that  in  which  God's  people  engage  here,  as 
the  heavens  beyond  the  stars  are  above  the  earth 
on  which  we  tread  ! 

And  in  this  service  who  can  doubt  that  the 
redeemed,  ransomed,  transfigured  body  is  to  have  a 
part  ?  The  Lord  of  glory,  our  Saviour,  is  there  in 
his  glorified  body — Enoch,  the  first  translated,  is 
there,  and  Elijah,  the  prophet  of  fire,  is  there,  and 
all  are  clothed  in  the  body,  transformed  from  the 
natural  to  the  Spiritual,  and  made  like  to  the  glory 
of  the  King's  Capital  where  they  reign.  And  so  all 
God's  ransomed  ones  shall  be  there,  both  soul  and 
body  when  the  glory  dawns. 

And  so  we  would  infer  that  all  Heaven's  beauty 
and  glory  will  not  be  developed  until  the  end  of  the 
ages  here,  and  the  grand  period  shall  arrive  when 
they  that  sleep  in  the  dust  of  the  earth  shall  awake, 


2^0       ^  Me7>iorial. 


and  ransomed  soul  and  body  shall  put  on  the  robes 
of  immortality,  and  enter  upon  the  full  inheritance 
of  glory.  And  the  beauty  of  that  estate  none  can 
know  here.  If  the  heavenly  estate  is  spoken  of  as 
the  dream  of  all  beauty,  indescribable  in  its  loveli- 
ness, what  shall  be  the  beauty  and  the  splendor  of 
those  who  shall  dwell  within  its  walls  of  precious 
stones } 

And  this  estate  will  be  eternal.  Angels  fell,  and 
their  brightness  faded  to  be  recovered  no  more  ;  but 
the  blessed  Redeemer  took  not  on  Him  the  nature  of 
angels.  They  were  never  ransomed  by  atoning 
blood.  Adam  and  Eve  sinned  and  fell  from  the 
grand  glories  of  the  terrestrial  Paradise  :  but  they 
stood  in  their  own  strength  ;  there  was  no  kinsman 
Redeemer  behind  them  in  that  first  estate  to  insure 
their  safety.  But  for  the  perfect,  redeemed  worship- 
ers, who  stand  upon  the  sea  of  glass  that  John  saw 
in  vision,  there  is  neither  danger  nor  peril..  They 
are  forever  safe,  as  are  the  pillars  that  uphold  the 
great  Temple  of  Life. 

And  it  may  be  that  hereafter,  in  the  Peerless  City 
in  all  the  Universe,  in  the  home  of  beauty,  in  the 
highest  realm  of  exalted  taste,  the  glorified  human 
form  will  be  found  to  be  the  very  highest  type  of 
beauty  in  all  the  worlds.  It  may  be  found  that  these 
bodies,  tabernacles  of  immortal  souls  ;  temples  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  sick,  wounded,  bruised,  dying  here, 
when  made  like  to  Christ's  resurrection  body,  out  of 
the  dust  of  the  earth  ;  will  be  more  beautiful  than 
the  dreams  of  earth's  first  born  Poets   and  Sculpt- 


The  Evening  and  the  Morning,         2^1 

ors — yea,  more  comely  than  the  Cherubim  that  soar 
highest  in  the  atmosphere  of   Heaven*! 

How  sweet  these  golden  thoughts — how  precious 
is  the  work  of  Christ,  our  Saviour  !  He  comes  to 
us  in  our  sin  and  ruin  and  wretchedness  and  brings 
deliverance.  He  v/ashes  these  poor,  sin-stained  souls 
in  His  own  blood,  and  fits  them  for  the  holy  society 
of  Heaven.  And  even  these  dying  bodies,  distort- 
ed by  disease,  worn  by  labor  and  toil,  faded  by  time 
and  wearing  out  through  the  cold,  heavy  influ- 
ence of  the  curse,  are  raised  up  by  almighty  power 
from  the  dust  of  the  centuries,  made  more  erect  than 
the  Palm  Trees,  and  more  beautiful  than  any  earthly 
dream,  and  prepared  for  the  highest  sphere  of  ser- 
vice the  eternal  God  ever  appoints  for  the  creatures 
He  has  made. 

Now  are  we  the  sons  of  God — and  if  children 
then  heirs,  heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ 
— yea,  we  are  the  younger  brethren  of  the  King, 
through  the  wonderful  adoption  of  our  God,  and 
the  eternal  covenant  He  has  made  for  our  glory. 

And  lastly  there  is  nothing  terrible  in  death  if  we 
have  clasped  hands  with  Jesus  and  surrendered  all 
to  him — it  is  but  the  beginning  of  the  true  life — it 
is  but  the  passing  from  the  vestibule  where  we  get 
echoes  of  the  melody,  into  the  grand,  glorious 
Temple  of  Life  to  dwell  in  the  light  and  join  in  the 
thrilling  melody  of  the  New  Song  :  "unto  Him  that 
hath  loved  us  and  hath  washed  us  from  our  sins  in 
His  own  blood  !" 


2^/2  Memorial. 

"Weep  not  for  death ! 

'Tis  but  a  fever  still'd ; 
A  pain  suppressed,  a  fear  at  rest, 

A  solemn  hope  fulfilled. 
The  moonshine  on  the  slumbering  deep, 
Is  scarcely  calmer — wherefore  weep  ? 

Weep  not  for  death ! 

The  fount  of  tears  is  sealed ; 
Who  knows  how  bright  the  inward  light 

To  those  shut  eyes  reveale<I  ? 
Who  knows  what  peerless  love  may  fill 
The  heart  that  seems  so  cold  and  still? 


II.    FUNERAL  SERVICES 
AT  BALTIMORE. 


"  Hozv  beautiful  it  is  foi^  man  to  die 
Upon  the  walls  of  Zion  !   to  be  called 
Like  a  watck-zvorn  and  weaiy  sentinel^ 
To  put  his  armor  off,  and  rest  in  heave n^ 

Willis. 

''A7id  devout  men  carried  Stephen  to  his  burial,  and 
made  great  lamentation  over  himy 

Acts  viii.  2. 


II.    FUNERAL  SERVICES  AT  BALTIMORE. 


On  Wednesday  morning,  September  14th.,  all  the 
officiating  clergymen,  the  pall-bearers,  and  a  few 
friends  gathered  with  the  family  at  the  house,  No. 
2,  McCulloh  Street,  where  the  Rev.  William  J.  Gill, 
the  pastor  of  Westminster  Church,  read  the  follow- 
ing Scriptures  and  offered  prayer,  before  accompa- 
nying the  coffin  to  the  church. 

The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  is  upon  me  :  because 
the  Lord  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  good  tidings 
unto  the  meek ;  he  hath  sent  me  to  bind  up  the 
broken  hearted,  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives, 
and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to  them  that  are 
bound,  to  comfort  all  that  mourn  ;  to  appoint  unto 
them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them  beauty 
for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  the  garment 
of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness,  that  they  might 
be  called  trees  of  righteousness,  the  planting  of  the 
Lord,  that  he  might  be  glorified. 

In  all  their  affliction  He  was  afflicted,  and  the 
Angel  of  His  presence  saved  them  ;  in  His  love 
and  in  His  pity  He  redeemed  them  ;  and  He  bare 
them  and  carried  them  all  the  days  of  old. 

Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am  with  thee ;  be  not  dis- 
mayed, for  I  am  thy  God ;  I  will  strengthen  thee, 


2j6  Memorial. 


yea,  I  will  help  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with 
the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness. 

When  thou  passest  through  the  waters  I  will  be 
with  thee  ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not 
overflow  thee ;  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire 
thou  shall  not  be  burned,  neither  shall  the  flame 
kindle  upon  thee. 

Wherein  ye  greatly  rejoice,  though  now  for  a 
season,  if  need  be,  ye  are  in  heaviness  through  mani- 
fold temptations  ;  that  the  trial  of  your  faith,  being 
much  more  precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth, 
though  it  be  tried  with  fire,  might  be  found  unto 
praise  and  honor  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

Blessed  is  the  man  whom  Thou  chastenest,  O 
Lord,  and  teachest  him  out  of  Thy  law ;  that  Thou 
mayest  give  him  rest  from  the  days  of  adversity. 

For  the  Lord  will  not  cast  off  His  people,  neither 
will  He  forsake  His  inheritance.  For  the  Lord  will 
not  cast  off  forever  ;  but  though  He  cause  grief,  yet 
will  He  have  compassion  according  to  the  multitude 
of  His  mercies.  For  He  doth  not  afflict  willingly, 
nor  grieve  the  children  of  men. 

For  a  small  moment  have  I  forsaken  thee,  but 
with  great  mercies  will  I  gather  thee.  In  a  little 
wrath  I  hid  my  face  from  thee  for  a  moment,  but 
with  everlasting  kindness  will  I  have  mercy  on  thee, 
saith  the  Lord,  thy  Redeemer. 

Blessed  be  God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ,  the  Father  of  mercies,  and  the  God  of 
all  comfort,  who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation. 


Funeral  Services  at  Balti77iore.  2yy 

that  we  may  be  able  to  comfort  them  which  are  in 
any  trouble  by  the  comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves 
are  comforted  of  God. 

For  as  the  sufferings  of  Christ  abound  in  us,  so 
our  consolation  also  aboundeth  in  Christ. 

Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  my  people,  saith  your 
God.  Speak  ye  comfortably  to  Jerusalem,  and  cry 
unto  her  that  her  warfare  is  accomplished,  that  her 
iniquity  is  pardoned  :  for  she  hath  received  of  the 
Lord's  hand  double  for  all  her  sins. 

Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of 
His  saints. 

Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth  ; 
therefore  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Al- 
mighty ;  for  He  maketh  sore  and  bindeth  up ;  He 
woundeth  and  His  hands  make  whole. 

He  that  is  our  God  is  the  God  of  salvation  ;  and 
unto  God  the  Lord  belong  the  issues  from  death. 

For  His  anger  endureth  but  a  moment ;  in  His 
favor  is  life  ;  weeping  may  endure  for  a  night,  but 
joy  Cometh  in  the  morning. 

The  Lord  is  merciful  and  gracious  ;  slow  to  anger, 
and  plenteous  in  mercy ;  he  will  not  always  chide, 
neither  will  He  keep  His  anger  forever.  He  hath 
not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins,  nor  rewarded  us  ac- 
cording to  our  iniquities  ;  for  as  the  heaven  is  high 
above  the  earth,  so  great  is  His  mercy  towards  them 
that  fear  Him.  As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west, 
so  far  hath  He  removed  our  transgressions  from  us. 

Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord 
pitieth  them  that  fear  Him.     For  He  knoweth  our 


2y8  Memorial. 


frame  ;  He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust.  As  for 
man,  his  days  are  as  grass  ;  as  a  flower  of  the  field, 
so  he  flourisheth.  For  the  wind  passeth  over  it  and 
it  is  gone,  and  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no 
more.  But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  ever- 
lasting to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  Him, 
and  His  righteousness  unto  children's  children  ; 
to  such  as  keep  His  covenant,  and  to  those  that 
remember  His  commandments  to  do  them." 

On  arriving  at  Westminster  church,  where  a  large 
audience  was  assembled,  the  coffin  was  placed  in 
front  of  the  pulpit,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  C.  Back- 
us, Pastor  Emeritus  of  the  First  Church,  offered 
the  invocation  and  read  the  hymn  ; 

"Rock  of  ages,  cleft  for  me, 

Let  me  hide  myself  in  Thee ; 

Let  the  water  and  the  blood, 

From  Thy  wounded  side  which  flowed, 

Be  of  sin  the  doable  cure ; 

Cleanse  me  from  its  guilt  and  power. 

"While  1  draw  this  fleeting  breath, 
When  my  heart-strings  break  in  death. 
When  I  soar  to  worlds  unknown, 
See  Thee  on  Thy  judgment  throne, 
Rock  of  ages,  cleft  for  me. 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  Thee." 

After  the  singing,  Rev.  Andrew  B.  Cross  a  life- 
long member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore  read 
the  following  selected  Scriptures  : 

**I  am  the  woman  that  stood  by  thee  here,  pray- 
ing unto  the  Lord.     For  this  child  I  prayed ;  and 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltunore.         ^/p 


the  Lord  hath  given  me  my  petition  which  I  asked 
of  Him  :  therefore  also  I  have  lent  him  to  the  Lord  ; 
as  long  as  he  liveth  he  shall  be  lent  to  the  Lord. 

I  Samuel  i  :  26-28. 
Before  I  formed  thee  in  the  belly  I  knew  thee  ; 
and  before  thou  camest  forth  out  of  the  womb  I 
sanctified  thee,  and  I  ordained  thee  a  prophet  unto 
the  nations.  Then  said  I,  Ah,  Lord  God  !  behold, 
I  cannot  speak  :  for  I  am  a  child.  But  the  Lord 
said  unto  me,  Say  not,  I  am  a  child  :  for  thou  shalt 
go  to  all  that  I  shall  send  thee,  and  whatsoever  I 
command  thee  thou  shalt  speak.  Be  not  afraid  of 
their  faces  :  for  I  am  with  thee  to  deliver  thee,  saith 
the  Lord.  Then  the  Lord  put  forth  his  hand  and 
touched  my  mouth.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me. 
Behold  I  have  put  my  words  in  thy  mouth. 

Jeremiah  i  :  5-9. 

But  Jesus  called  them  unto  Him,  and  said,  Ye 
know  that  the  princes  of  the  Gentiles  exercise  do- 
minion over  them,  and  they  that  are  great,  exercise 
authority  upon  them.  But  it  shall  not  be  so  among 
you  :  but  whosoever  will  be  great  among  you,  let 
him  be  your  minister ;  and  whosoever  will  be  chief 
among  you,  let  him  be  your  servant  :  even  as  the 
Son  of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to 
minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many. 

Matthew  xx  :  25-28. 

I  was  made  a  minister  according  to  the  gift  of 
the  grace  of  God  given  unto  me  by  the  effectual 
working  of  His  power.     Unto  me,  who  am  less  than 


28o  Memorial. 


the  least  of  all  saints,  is  this  grace  given,  that  I 
should  preach  among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ ;  and  to  make  all  men  see  what  is 
the  fellowship  of  the  mystery,  which  from  the  be- 
ginning of  the  world  hath  been  hid  in  God,  who 
created  all  things  by  Jesus  Christ. 

Ephesians  III:  7-9 

By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am  :  and  His 
grace  which  was  bestowed  upon  me  was  not  in  vain  ; 
but  I  labored  more  abundantly  than  they  all ;  yet 
not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God  which  was  with  me. 

I  Corinthians  xv  :  10. 

For  our  rejoicing  is  this,  the  testimony  of  our 
conscience,  that  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity, 
not  with  fleshly  wisdom,  but  by  the  grace  of  God 
we  have  had  our  conversation  in  the  world,  and 
more  abundantly  to  you  ward. 

2.  Corinthians  1:12. 

I  think  that  God  hath  set  forth  us  the  apostles 
last,  as  it  were  appointed  to  death  :  for  we  are  made 
a  spectacle  unto  the  world,  and  to  angels,  and  to 
men.  We  are  fools  for  Christ's  sake,  but  ye  are 
wise  in  Christ  ;  we  are  weak,  but  ye  are  strong  ;  ye 
are  honorable,  but  we  are  despised.  Even  unto 
this  present  hour  we  both  hunger,  and  thirst,  and  are 
naked  and  are  buffeted,  and  have  no  certain  dwelling 
place,  and  labor,  working  with  our  own  hands  ;  being 
reviled,  we  bless  :  being  persecuted,  we  suffer  it  : 
being  defamed,  we  entreat :  we  are  made  as  the  filth 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         281 

of  the  world,  and  are  the  off-scouring  of  all  things 
unto  this  day. 

1st  Corinthians,  iv  :  9-13. 

And  my  speech  and  my  preaching  was  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstra- 
tion of  the  Spirit  and  of  power.  *  *  It  is  writ- 
ten, eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have 
entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which 
God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  Him. 

1st  Corinthians  ii  :  4,  9. 

His  own  purpose  and  grace  *  *  is  now  made 
manifest  by  the  appearing  of  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hath  abolished  death  and  hath  brought 
life  and  immortality  to  light  through  the  Gospel  : 
whereunto  I  am  appointed  a  preacher,  and  an  apos- 
tle, and  a  teacher  of  the  Gentiles.  For  which  cause 
I  also  suffer  these  things  :  nevertheless  I  am  not 
ashamed  :  for  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and 
am  persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I 
have  committed  unto  Him  against  that  day. 

2d  Timothy,  i  :  9-12. 

I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  tim.e  of  my 
departure  is  at  hand.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I 
have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith  : 
henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  right- 
eousness, which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  shall 

give  me  at  that  day. 

2d  Timothy  iv  :  6-*^. 

Ye  are  come  unto  Mount  Sion,  and  unto  the  city 
of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an 


282  Memorial. 


innumerable  company  of  angels,  to  the  general  as- 
sembly and  church  of  the  firstborn,  which  are  writ- 
ten in  heaven,  and  to  God  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to 
the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus 
the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and  to  the  blood 
of  sprinkling  that  speaketh  better  things  than  that 
of  Abel. 

Hebrews  xii  :  22-24. 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  which  according  to  His  abundant  mercy 
hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a  lively  hope  by  the 
resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead,  to  an 
inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled,  and  that 
fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven  for  you  who 
are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto 
salvation  ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  time. 
Wherein  ye  greatly  rejoice,  though  now  for  a  sea- 
son, if  need  be,  ye  are  in  heaviness  through  mani- 
fold temptations  :  that  the  trial  of  your  faith,  being 
much  more  precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth, 
though  it  be  tried  with  fire,  might  be  found  unto 
praise  and  honor  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of  Je- 
sus Christ :  whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love ;  in 
whom,  though  now  ye  see  Him  not,  yet  believing, 
ye  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

1ST  Peter  i  :  3-8. 

And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and  Him  that  sat 
on  it,  from  whose  face  the  earth  and  the  heaven  fled 
away  ;  and  there  was  found  no  place  for  them.  And  I 
saw  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before  God  ;  and 


Fu7ieral  Services  at  Baltimore.         28 j 

the  books  were  opened;  and  another  book  was  open- 
ed, which  is  the  Book  of  Life  :  And  the  dead  were 
judged  out  of  those  things  which  were  written  in 
the  books,  according  to  their  works.  And  the  sea 
gave  up  the  dead  which  were  in  it ;  and  death  and 
hell  gave  up  the  dead  which  were  in  them  r  and 
they  were  judged  every  man  according  to  their 
works. 

Revelation  xx  :  11-13. 

And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto  me, 
Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord 
from  henceforth  :  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they 
may  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  fol- 
low them. 

Revelation  xiv  :  13. 

And  they  shall  see  His  face  ;  and  His  name  shall 
be  in  their  foreheads.  And  there  shall  be  no  night 
there  ;  and  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light  of  the 
sun  ;  for  the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light ;  and  they 
shall  reign  forever  and  ever. 

Revelation  xxii  :  4-5. 

Behold,  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  be- 
stowed on  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of 
God  :  therefore  the  world  knoweth  us  not,  because 
it  knew  Him  not.  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of 
God,  and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be  : 
but  we  know  that,  when  He  shall  appear,  we  shall 
be  like  Him  ;  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is. 

1ST  John  hi  :  i,  2. 


284  Memorial. 


He,  being  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  looked  up  stead- 
fastly into  heaven,  and  saw  the  glory  of  God,  and 
Jesus  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God. 

Acts  vii:  55. 

And  devout  men  carried  Stephen  to  his  burial, 
and  made  great  lamentation  over  him. 

Acts  viii  :  2. 

Martha  saith  unto  Him,  I  know  that  he  shall  rise 
again  in  the  resurrection  at  the  last  day,  Jesus 
saith  unto  her,  I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the 
Life  :  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead, 
yet  shall  he  live. 

John  xi  :  24-25. 

This  was  followed  by  the 
Address  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  T.  Smith, 

Pastor  of  the  Central  church,  Baltimore,  sketch- 
ing the  life  and  work  of  Dr.  Dickson. 

We  were  boys  together.  We  were  class-mates  at 
College.  We  were  settled  side  by  side  as  pastors 
during  the  first  seven  years  of  our  ministry,  and 
then,  separated  for  a  little  while,  were  re-united  here. 
We  crossed  the  Atlantic,  traversed  Europe,  climbed 
the  Pyramids,  stood  on  the  shores  of  the  Red  Sea 
together.  I  have  been  a  frequent  inmate  of  his 
home  since  the  day  he  first  had  a  home,  have  seen 
his  children  grow  up  around  him,  and  have  buried 
his  dead.  For  half  a  century  our  lives  have  run  on 
together,  side  by  side.     If  this  familiar  and  lifelong 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         28s 

association  seem  in  one  respect  a  qualification  for 
the  service  to  which  I  am  here  called,  I  feel  it  at 
this  solemn  moment  rather  a  disqualification  and  a 
hindrance.  It  is  so  hard  to  bid  away  these  throng- 
ing memories,  to  bid  down  these  throbbing  emotions, 
to  get  away  from  these  obtrusive  personalities,  and 
to  speak  calmly,  impersonally,  as  the  occasion  re- 
quires. 

Cyrus  Dickson  was  born  in  the  township  of  North 
East,  Erie  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  20th  day  of 
December,  18 16.     His  childhood  was  passed  on  the 
shore  of  the  great  lake,  and  almost  within  hearing 
of   the    thunders  of    Niagara.     The   illimitable  ex- 
panse on  which  he  gazed  day  by  day  with   boyish 
wonder  and  awe,  and  the  thunders  of  omnipotence 
which  were  always  sounding  by  his  side,  it   is  not 
mere  fancy  to  say,  imparted  something  of  their  own 
expansion  and  sublimity  to   the  unfolding  faculties 
of  the  man.     But  other  and  more  powerful  influences 
were  around  him.     He  was  a  child  of  the  Covenant, 
the  descendant  of  a  long  line  of  godly  ancestors, 
some  of  whom  were  princes  in  Israel.     He  enjoyed 
as  his  birthright  the  inheritance  of  Covenant  bless- 
ings.    Breathing  the   atmosphere   and   surrounded 
by  all  the  hallowed  influences  of  a  Christian  home, 
his  earliest  and  profoundest  impressions  were  of  the 
reality,  the  nearness,  and  the  transcendent  impor- 
tance of  eternal  things.     How  fondly  he  cherished 
the  hallowed  memories  of   that  childhood's  home, 
and  how  lasting  its  impress  upon  his  character  ! 
Western  Pennsylvania  was  then  almost  a  wilder- 


286  Memorial. 

ness,  just  beginning  to  blossom  as  the  rose.  Its 
first  settlers  were  almost  all  Presbyterians  of  the 
straitest,  purest,  strongest  type,  from  Scotland,  from 
Northern  Ireland,  from  the  Cumberland  valley  and 
the  homes  of  Presbyterianism  in  the  East,  but  chiefly 
from  Washington  and  the  Southern  counties  of  the 
State.  Dr.  McMillan,  a  most  remarkable  man,  the 
John  Knox  of  his  age,  God  had  raised  up  and  en- 
dued with  Apostolic  gifts  and  sent  before  as  a  pio- 
neer herald  to  prepare  His  way  in  the  wilder- 
ness. From  his  log  college  in  Cannonsburg,  — the 
Geneva  of  the  West —  there  went  forth  a  race  of 
ministers  whose  like  the  world  has  seldom  seen  since 
apostolic  times.  Their  names,  if  going  down  on  earth, 
are  ever  bright  and  brightening  in  Heaven.  Their 
labors  if  long  since  ended  on  earth  with  no  visible 
monument  or  memorial,  still  follow  in  their  blessed 
influences,  and  sanctified  souls  who  have  never  heard 
their  names.     Tait,  Eaton,  Johnston,  Hughes,  Sat- 

terfield,  Woods,  M'Curdy,  Smith,  Marquis these 

are  the  honored  names  of  a  few  of  those  mighty  men 
of  old.  From  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  to  the  shores 
of  the  great  lakes  they  went  everywhere  preaching 
with  power  from  on  high  the  Gospel  of  the  Kingdom, 
and  crying  aloud  "Prepare  ye  in  the  desert  a  high- 
way for  our  God."  The  Pulpit  then  was  what  Pulpit 
and  Platform  and  Press  combined  are  to  day,  and 
their  pulpits  were  the  mightiest  influence  in  fashion- 
ing society.  The  people  were  poor  in  this  world's 
goods,  but  they  were  pre-eminently  rich  in  faith. 
Eternal  things  were  not  to  them  myths  nor  shadows 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         28 j 

nor  soulless  abstractions  :  they  were  present  and  pal- 
pable realities.  They  saw  God  and  the  great  white 
throne,  and  Heaven  and  Hell  as  present  and  real,  and 
the  vision  influenced  and  controlled  their  whole  lives. 
Religion  was  the  great  business  of  their  lives.  It 
was  the  chief  theme  of  conversation.  It  constituted 
almost  their  exclusive  reading.  Instead  of  morning 
papers  and  magazines  and  reviews  and  cheap  litera- 
ture of  every  kind,  the  Bible  and  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  and  Baxter  and  Doddridge  and  Bunyan  were 
the  companions  of  their  solitary  hours.  The  question 
as  to  worldly  amusements,  when  and  how  far  they 
are  lawful  and  innocent,  did  not  trouble  them,  for 
their  rejoicing  was  in  the  Lord,  and  they  felt  the 
need  of  no  higher  joy. 

Their  Communion  seasons  were  like  the  great 
annual  festivals  of  the  Jews.  They  were  held  in 
groves,  God's  first  temples,  for  no  walls  could  con- 
tain the  gathering  multitudes.  The  services  were 
protracted  through  many  days.  The  people  assem- 
bled for  many  miles  around  ;  neighboring  ministers 
were  called  in  ;  preaching  from  the  tent  was  con- 
tinued with  short  intervals  almost  the  entire  day, 
and  far  into  the  night  the  voice  of  prayer  and  praise 
was  heard  in  their  dwellings.  And  the  Spirit  often 
came  down  upon  them  like  the  rustling  wind  in  the 
tree-tops,  like  the  rushing  mighty  wind  of  Pente- 
cost. The  revival  services  of  those  times  were  al- 
most the  repetitions  of  Pentecost.  Most  remarkable 
in  their  nature  and  methods,  most  lasting  in  their 
blessed  influences,  few  scenes  in  the  whole  history 


2SS  Memorial, 


of  the  Church  so  displayed  the  power  of  God's 
Spirit,  and  so  magnified  the  grace  of  the  Gospel. 

It  was  amidst  such  influences  the  childhood  of 
Dr.  Dickson  was  passed  and  his  Christian  character 
shaped.  The  blessed  baptism  then  received  left  its 
lasting  impress  on  his  whole  future  life. 

At  the  early  age  of  fourteen  he  joined  himself 
publicly  to  the  Lord,  and  from  that  hour  his  purpose 
to  enter  the  ministry  seems  to  have  been  fixed. 
His  preparatory  education  was  obtained  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  North  East  and  at  the  Academy  at 
Erie.  In  November  1832  he  entered  Jefferson  Col- 
lege, and  was  graduated  in  1837  in  a  class  which 
embraced  the  martyr  missionary  Lowrie,  and  gave, 
as  the  fruit  of  a  precious  College  revival,  so  many 
ministers  to  the  Church.  Theological  seminaries 
were  then  in  their  infancy,  and  the  great  question 
between  the  Seminary  and  private  instruction 
was  still  under  debate.  Dr.  Dickson,  in  accordance 
with  the  wishes  of  his  Presbytery,  and  his  own  con- 
victions at  the  time,  pursued  his  theological  educa- 
tion under  private  instructors. 

He  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  uni- 
ted churches  of  Franklin  and  Sugar  Creek  in  Ve- 
nango County,  Pennsylvania,  in  June,  1840,  and  in 
the  same  year  was  married  to  Miss  Delia  E.  Mc  Con- 
nell,  the  helper  of  his  faith,  the  sharer  of  his  labors, 
the  charm  of  his  home,  and  the  solace  of  his  life  for 
forty  years,  and  a  ministering  angel  around  his  bed 
of  death. 

Franklin,  the  county  seat  of  Venango  county,  situ- 


Fnnei^al  Services  at  Baltwiore.         2Sg 


ated  at  the  junction  of  French  Creek  and  the  Alle- 
gheny River,  was  then  a  little  village  of  some  four 
hundred  inhabitants.  Sugar  Creek,  situated  on  the 
stream  of  that  name,  was  some  seven  miles  distant. 
The  churches  in  both  places  were  little,  rough, 
wooden  structures,  with  naked  walls  and  quaking 
windows,  and  rude  pine  pulpits,  lit  up  at  night  by- 
flickering  tallow  candles.  The  people  were  few, 
scattered,  poor,  primitive  in  style  of  dwellings  and 
customs  and  mianners.  The  salary  was  $300.  Those 
churches  were  just  on  the  edge  of  what  v*^as  then 
almost  a  wilderness,  now  the  oil  region  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  roads  were  often  but  blind  bridle  paths, 
filled  with  stumps,  and  in  places  almost  impassable 
from  snags.  The  streams  were  bridgeless,  and  the 
crossings  of  French  Creek,  Oil  Creek  and  Broken- 
straw  were  often  difficult  and  sometimes  perilous. 
The  inhabitants,  chiefly  lumbermen,  were  scattered 
along  the  water  courses,  while  the  intervening  re- 
gions were  desert.  A  few  feeble  churches  were 
erected  at  long  intervals,  and  where  they  were 
wanting,  the  lordly  pine  or  the  wide-spreading  oak,  or 
the  rude  country  school  house  afforded  a  sanctuary. 
The  people  hungered  and  thirsted  for  the  Bread  of 
Life,  and  it  was  the  4^1ight  of  the  young  pastor, 
mounted  on  a  horse  as  well  known  throughout  all 
that  region  as  himself,  through  hunger  and  cold  and 
storm  to  carry  the  Bread  of  Life  to  those  scattered 
sheep  in  the  wilderness.  His  coming  was  always  a 
festal  time,  and  his  name  in  all  that  country  was  as 
ointment  poured  forth. 


2  go  MeinoriaL 

His  fame  as  a  preacher  began  to  be  noised  abroad, 
and  other  and  wider  fields  began  to  solicit  him.  In 
1848  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Second  Church 
of  Wheeling,  Virginia,  then  just  organized.  Few 
ever  felt  the  pangs  of  parting  as  keenly  as  he,  and 
the  parting  from  the  people  of  his  first  love  almost 
broke  his  heart.  Upon  his  new  field  he  entered 
with  characteristic  ardor.  The  church  grew  in  num- 
bers and  influence,  and  became,  under  his  ministry, 
one  of  the  largest,  best  organized,  and  most  influen- 
tial for  good  in  the  Presbytery.  Here,  as  every- 
where, with  that  strange  magnetism  which  bound  all 
hearts  to  himself,  the  people-were  drawn  to  him  and 
bound  to  him  by  ties  which  were  hard  to  sunder. 
But  a  still  wider  field  was  opened,  and,  in  November, 
1856,  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  Westminster 
Church,  Baltimore.  From  the  very  beginning  of 
his  ministry  in  Baltimore,  an  unusual  blessing  at- 
tended him.  During  the  first  two  years  there  was 
an  almost  continual  revival,  and  a  precious  harvest 
of  souls  was  gathered.  The  people  of  God  were 
edified  and  quickened  in  every  good  word  and  work, 
and  the  church  prospered  during  the  whole  fourteen 
years  of  his  pastorate.  His  influence  in  all  the 
churches  and  throughout  the  entire  Presbytery  was 
great  and  constantly  growing,  until  he  occupied  a 
position  from  which  it  seemed  he  could  not  be 
spared.  Then  the  voice  which  had  been  always  call- 
ing to  him  "  Come  up  higher  "  called  once  more. 

In  1870  he  was  elected,  by  the  General  Assembjy, 
Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Missions.     The  congre- 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltmiore.  2gi 


gation  with  one  heart  and  one  voice  opposed  his  re- 
moval. Their  representatives  in  Presbytery,  with 
the  earnestness  of  profound  conviction  and  the  elo- 
quence of  deep  emotion,  remonstrated  against  it. 
But  his  own  conviction  of  duty  was  clear,  and  his 
brethren  of  the  Presbytery,  with  whatever  reluc- 
tance, were  compelled  to  acquiesce.  And  for  ten 
years  he  filled  the  office  which  made  his  name  a 
household  word,  not  only  throughout  this  entire 
land,  but  through  all  Christendom.  More  than  a 
year  ago  failing  health  compelled  him  to  retire  from 
the  active  duties  of  his  office,  and  to  seek  in  tempora- 
ry rest  strength  for  new  labors.  But  his  work  was 
done  :  his  crown  was  ready ;  and  the  Master  had 
need  of  him,  and  called  him  once  more  to  a  still 
higher  service.  He  came  back  to  the  people  he  had 
loved  so  well  to  spend  among  them  his  last  days, 
and  leave  with  them  his  precious  dust.  Slowly  we 
saw  the  light  of  life  go  out.  Day  by  day  we  saw 
his  step  grow  feebler  and  feebler,  his  eye  grow  dim- 
mer and  dimmer,  his  eloquent  voice  fainter  and 
fainter.  And  on  last  Sabbath  morning,  the  day 
whose  dawning  he  always  rejoiced  to  welcome, 
while  we  were  making  ready  for  the  earthly  sanctu- 
ary, he  was  caught  up  into  the  temple  above,  joined 
the  great  congregation  around  the  throne,  and  min- 
gled his  voice  in  the  new  song. 

Such  is  the  brief,  historic  outline — the  setting  of 
the  picture — but  the  picture  itself  we  hesitate  to  at- 
tempt. Portrait-painting  is  always  difficult.  Those 
delicate  spiritual  lines  which  the  soul  within  traces 


2g2  AlemoriaL 


upon  the  features  it  is    hard  for   the  most   skilful 
pencil  to  transfer  to  canvass. 

I.  As  a  man  he  was  richly  and  in  many  respects 
most  remarkably  endowed.  There  was  in  him  a 
rare  combination  of  the  most  seemingly  incompati- 
ble qualities.  Imagination  was  the  imperial  of  his 
soul  apparently  holding  all  others  in  subjection  to 
itself.  Out  of  the  faintest  analogies  and  the  dim- 
mest resemblances  it  fashioned  ideal  scenes  and 
built  up  ideal  worlds  for  his  habitation.  His  sensi- 
bilities were  keen,  reflecting  as  a  burnished  mirror 
the  form  of  every  passing  object.  His  sympathies 
were  quick  and  warm  and  transforming.  I  have 
never  known  a  man  who  could  so  thoroughly  appre- 
ciate the  situation,  enter  into  the  feelings,  and  put 
himself  into  the  place  of  another.  His  affections 
were  ardent.  Seldom  was  a  man  surrounded  with 
such  hosts  of  friends  and  loved  with  such  intense 
affection.  Imaginative,  impressible,  sympathetic, 
affectionate,  his  temperament  was  that  of  the  Poet 
and  his  world  the  world  of  romance.  And  yet,  with 
all  this,  there  was  a  strange  mingling  of  the  most 
prosaic  and  practical  qualities.  His  observations  of 
men  and  affairs  were  large  and  yet  minute  and  cir- 
cumstantial. His  mind  always  active,  his  faculties 
always  on  the  alert,  he  was  always  gathering  knowl- 
edge from  surrounding  objects.  His  information 
upon  all  subjects  of  practical  interest  was  vast.  His 
knowledge  of  human  nature  in  its  weaknesses,  its 
follies,  and  its  excellencies  was  almost  unequalled. 
The  ideal  with  him  served  not  to  lessen  nor  to  con- 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         2pj 

fuse,  but  rather  to  embellish,  to  wing,  and  to  elevate 
the  actual.  Never  so  much  a  student  of  books  but  al- 
ways a  student  of  men  and  affairs,  he  was  always 
ready  to  give  counsel  in  any  perplexity,  or  discuss 
any  subject  of  practical  interest  Of  those  marvel- 
lous extemporaneous  speeches  which  so  thrilled  his 
hearers,  he  might  say  as  Daniel  Webster  said  of 
his  great  speech  :  '*It  took  me  thirty  years  to  pre- 
pare it." 

2.  These  natural  characteristics,  consecrated  by 
Divine  grace  and  brought  into  the  service  of  the 
sanctuary,  gave  their  peculiar  complexion  to  his 
character  and  work  as  a  minister.  A  devout  stu- 
dent of  the  Word,  his  theology  was  drawn  directly 
from  its  pages.  The  great  end  of  preaching,  as  he 
regarded  it,  was  simply  to  declare  the  mind  of  the 
Spirit,  and  his  preaching  was  largely  expository. 
But  his  imagination  embellished  and  flung  new  at- 
tractions around  the  whole.  The  most  familiar  truths 
it  grouped  into  new  forms  and  presented  in  new  com- 
binations, so  that  the  old  was  forever  new,  and  his 
hearers,  always  kept  in  a  state  of  pleasant  surprise, 
found  the  charm  of  perpetual  novelty,  as  the  old  was 
forever  being  new.  His  ardent  sympathies  enabled 
him  to  discern  the  application  of  the  truth  unfolded 
to  the  wants  of  those  before  him,  and  his  ardent  af- 
fections enabled  them  to  bring  them  home  to  their 
business  and  bosoms  with  a  power  seldom  equaled. 
The  man  embodied  himself  in  the  Preacher,  and 
transfused  his  own  magnetic  personality  into  the  ser- 
mon.    His  preaching  was  not  like  that  of  other  men, 


2C}4  Memorial. 


for  lie  was  not  like  other  men,  and  he  spoke  out  of  a 
full  heart  that  which  he  did  know  and  had  seen  of 
the  grace  of  Christ. 

3.  As  a  Pastor  he  was  almost  everything  that  a 
pastor  should  be.  No  shepherd  ever  watched  his 
flock,  no  watchman  ever  watched  for  souls  as  he.  If 
you  think  the  words  extravagant,  ask  any  of  those 
who  enjoyed  his  pastoral  care.  Kind,  tender,  sym- 
pathetic, he  was  ever  ready  to  weep  with  those  who 
wept,  and  to  pour  the  balm  of  kindly  sympathy  into 
the  bleeding  heart.  Not  in  those  great  sorrows  only 
which  rend  the  heart  strings,  but  in  the  every-day 
annoyances  and  perplexities  which  make  up  so 
much  of  the  bitterness  of  life,  he  was  a  wise  coun- 
sellor and  a  skilful  guide.  I  remember  well  the 
impression  made  by  the  young  Pastor  among  his 
own  people  and  throughout  the  churches  of  West- 
ern Pennsylvania  ;  he  was  not  a  man  of  books  alone, 
and  of  theological  abstractions,  dwelling  in  a  world 
apart ;  he  knew  men,  he  knew  affairs  ;  he  was  a 
dweller  in  this  present,  actual  world  of  living  men 
and  living  interests.  He  could  talk  with  farmers 
and  merchants  and  ph3^sicians  and  lawyers  and 
judges  with  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  their  af- 
fairs and  a  real  sympathy  in  their  perplexities.  And 
these  sanctified  secularities  were  always  a  power  in 
his  ministry. 

4.  As  a  Presbyter  here,  in  this  presence  where 
nearly  the  entire  Presbytery  of  which  he  was  so  long 
a  member  is  assembled,  I  need  scarcely  speak.  Ye, 
Brethren,  are  all  witnesses.      His  promptness  in  at- 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore,         2g^ 


tendance  upon  all  meetings,  his  readiness  to  take 
his  full  share  of  labor  and  responsibility,  his  quick- 
ness, his  versatility,  his  large  information,  his  ripe 
experience,  his  deep  earnestness  and  magnetic  pow- 
er in  imparting  his  own  spirit,  are  familiar  to  you 
all.  How  invaluable  his  counsels,  how  effective  his 
agency  in  composing  differences  and  healing  breach- 
es. How  beyond  the  narrow  limits  of  his  own 
Church  his  eye  ranged  over  the  entire  Presbytery, 
and  his  large  heart  embraced  all  the  churches,  and 
his  busy  hands  were  ever  ready  to  minister  to  their 
wants. 

5.     As  a  Secretary.     Great  as  the  loss  was  to  us, 
great  as  the  grief  was  to  him  in  sundering  the  ties 
which  bound  him  here,  the  Church  acted  wisely  for 
her  larger  interest  in  placing  him  at  the  head  of  her 
Board  of  Missions.     His  qualifications  for  the  work, 
both    theoretical    and   practical,   were    remarkable. 
Few  had  .a  larger  knowledge  of  this  great  land  in  its 
present  condition,  or  a  clearer  prophetic  vision  of 
its  future  greatness.       From   the   Atlantic  to   the 
Pacific,  from  the  great  lakes  to  the  gulf,  it  was  spread 
out  before  him  as  a  map.     He  had  traversed  almost 
its  entire  extent.     He  delighted  in  collecting  statis- 
tics and  gathering  information  of  every  kind  con- 
cerning  it.      With    its    climate,    soil,    productions, 
character  of  its  inhabitants,  undeveloped  resources, 
and    possibilities   for    the  future,   few   statisticians 
were  better  acquainted.     From  boyhood  the  coming 
glory  of  this  great  land  was  a  delightful  theme.    His 
eye  always  sparkled  and  his  voice  always  grew  eio- 


2g6  Memorial. 


quent  when  he  adverted  to  it.  And  with  those 
glowing  visions  there  was  burned  into  his  very  soul 
the  profound  conviction  that  the  Gospel  was  the 
only  hope  for  that  future.  Those  marvelous  speech- 
es of  his  which  so  thrilled  all  hearts  in  Presbyteries 
and  Synods,  and  from  year  to  year  on  the  platform 
of  the  General  Assembly,  and  gave  such  a  mighty 
impulse  to  the  cause  for  which  he  pleaded,  were  just 
the  outflow  of  that  clear  prophetic  vision  of  the 
future  greatness  and  glory  of  this  broad  land,  and 
the  profound  conviction  that  the  Gospel  alone  was 
the  conservator  of  that  future. 

I  have  spoken  chiefly  of  the  man  and  of  the 
characteristics  which  fitted  him  for  the  several  de- 
partments of  his  great  life-work.  Of  that  work  it- 
self and  of  its  results,  present  and  prospective,  I 
leave  others  to  speak  more  largely.  The  special 
lessons  of  his  death  for  those  here  gathered,  and  the 
consolations  the  Gospel  brings  to  those  who  mourn 
with  a  greater  sorrow  than  ours,  I  leave  for  the 
more  fitting  lips  of  him  w^ho  is  to  follow. 

Dr.  Dickson  dead  !  That  motionless  marble  for- 
ever shut  up  in  that  narrow  cofifin,  the  eyes  closed, 
the  eloquent  lips  sealed,  is  that  all  of  him  that  re- 
mains to  us  }  And  shall  the  places  that  knew  him 
so  long  know  him  no  more  forever.'*  Shall  he  be  to 
us  henceforth  only  a  name  or  a  memory,  an  inspira- 
tion or  a  spiritual  influence,  everywhere  with  us  in- 
deed, but  unseen  .^  How  hard  to  realize  it  here 
within  these  walls  where  the  tones  of  his  eloquent 
voice  still  seem  to  linger! 


Ftineral  Services  at  Baltimore.         ^p/ 


Farewell,  Brother,  farewell !  Thy  work  is  done, 
thy  warfare  accomplished.  The  crown  long  since 
woven  and  laid  up  for  thee  the  sacred  hands  were 
waiting  to  place  upon  thy  brow.  Not  dead,  but 
gone  before  !  We  gather  with  tearful  eyes  around 
thy  sacred  body  and  will  bear  it  reverently,  as  such 
a  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ought  to  be  borne,  to 
its  burial.  We  will  place  by  thy  side  the  dust  of 
the  little  prattler  whom,  long  years  ago,  thou  didst 
give  up  to  Heaven  to  await  thy  coming.  There  in 
the  bed  that  Jesus  has  softened  for  thee,  sweet  be 
thy  rest,  Brother,  until  the  morning  of  that  great 
rising  day  when  we  shall  all  meet  thee  again. 

If  earth  has  grown  darker,  heaven  has  grown 
sweeter  to  us  to-day,  since  Dr.  Dickson  is  there. 
Another  familiar  face  looks  down  upon  us  from  the 
midst  of  the  great  cloud  of  witnesses  to-day.  An- 
other dear  friend  has  gone  before  to  welcome  us  to 
the  Father's  house.  How  very  sweet  Heaven  is  be- 
coming to  us  !  How  many  of  earth's  most  precious 
treasures  have  been  given  up  to  Heaven  within  the 
last  few  months  !  Adams,  Beadle,  Boardman,  how 
their  names  throng  upon  us  when  we  begin  to  recall ! 
What  glad  reunions  were  celebrated  in  the  Father's 
house  above  last  Sabbath  morning !  How  many 
greeted  the  joyous  entrance  of  Dr.  Dickson  there  ! 
You  can  see  them  thronging  around  him,  the  spirit- 
ual children  who  have  gone  before  from  this  church, 
and  from  so  many  churches  !  How  rapturous  his 
joy  as  he  stretches  out  his  hand  and  says,  ''Ye  are 
my  crown  and  my  joy  !"    With  what  precious  jewels 


2pS  Memorial, 


is  Dr.  Dickson's  crown  set,  the  souls  he  has  brought 
home  to  God ! 

Farewell,  Brother,  farewell.  We  will  try  to  follow 
thee  even  as  thou  also  didst  follow  Christ.  And 
soon,  very  soon,  dear  Brother,  we  will  meet  thee 
again  in  the  Father's  house,  and  together  be  forever 
with  the  Lord  ! 

The  next  speaker  referred  more  particularly  to 
the  Baltimore  pastorate,  in  the  following  words  : 

Address  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  C.  Backus. 

The  mourning  of  this  occasion  is  not  a  mere  sen- 
timent. Tender  and  sacred  associations  have  in- 
deed been  severed.  To  myself  personally  one  of  the 
strongest,  most  intimate,  confidential  and  useful 
friendships  of  a  more  than  usually  protracted  minis- 
try has  been  closed  by  the  event  that  has  brought 
us  together.  How  many  here  have  lost  a  dear 
friend !  What  then  must  be  the  feelings  of  those 
who  have  been  wounded  in  the  keenest  of  the  natu- 
ral affections  }  Yet  we  are  here  in  this  House  of 
God,  and  not  in  a  private  dwelling,  because  a  great 
public  loss  has  been  suffered. 

This  is  not  the  time  for  a  full,  discriminating  ac- 
count of  the  life  and  character  of  the  lamented  ser- 
vant of  God.  His  life-long  friend,  who  has  just  sat 
down,  has  given  as  ample  a  sketch  as  such  a  service 
will  permit.  It  ought  not  to  pass,  however,  without 
recalling  something  of  the  life  with  which  we  were 
more  particularly  associated. 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         2gg 

Assembled  in  this  Westminster  church,  where  so 
important  a  part  of  his  ministry  was  spent,  it  is  ap- 
propriate to  remind  you  that  his  was  the  longest,  the 
most  favored  and  successful  pastorate  it  has  yet 
known.  It  had,  under  Dr.  William  J.  Hoge's  youthful 
and  very  attractive,  though  brief  ministry,  just  pass- 
ed through  its  infancy.  That  was  the  era  of  its 
taking  form,  becoming  established,  getting  into  a 
condition  for  work.  Gathered  from  various  scatter- 
ed congregations,  of  diverse  character,  it  required 
those  four  years  to  take  shape  and  become  settled 
so  as  to  be  a  homogeneous  body.  The  first  treas- 
urer told  me  that  in  those  four  years  there  were  as 
many  who  left  as  there  were  at  any  one  time  in  the 
church.  And  yet  there  was  a  constant,  steady 
growth. 

Dr.  Dickson  came  just  as  it  was  getting  ready  for 
its  mission  as  a  church.  He  came  from  a  region 
that  had  been  prolific  in  ministers,  and  to  which 
this  city  and  Presbytery  are  more  indebted  for  their 
supply  than  is  generally  recognized.  He  came  of 
that  Scotch-Irish  element  to  which  our  church  and 
country  owe  as  much,  under  God,  as  to  any  other. 
That  rare  blending  of  earnest  enthusiasm  with  pa- 
tient perseverance,  genial  vivacity,  with  hard,  practi- 
cal sense,  was  displayed  by  him  on  all  occasions.  And 
what  gave  these  characteristics  their  peculiar  relig- 
ious influence  was,  that  the  blending  had  been  devel- 
oped from  the  first  in  the  old  country  and,  when 
transplanted  into  this,  under  gracious  revivals.  He 
came,  too,  with  a  ripened  experience  from  his  for 


300  Memorial. 


mer  settlements  in  Franklin  and  Wheelingf,  where 
he  had  the  finest  opportunity  for  the  exercise  and 
development  of  his  extraordinary  gifts  and  graces 
for  the  ministerial  work. 

Just  when  this  church  was  sorrowing  under  its 
first  vacancy,  one  of  the  prominent  elders  happened 
to  be  detained  over  Sabbath  as  he  was  passing 
through  Wheeling,  and  attended  the  church  to 
which  Dr.  Dickson  then  ministered.  So  impressed 
was  he  with  the  earnestness,  the  evangelical  spirit, 
the  directness  and  eloquence  of  the  preaching,  the 
appropriate  and  edifying  method  of  conducting  the 
devotional  services,  the  warm  zeal  manifested  in  the 
Sabbath  School  and  all  church  work,  as  well  as  with 
the  account  given  of  his  popularity  and  influence, 
that  he  immediately  directed  the  attention  of  this 
congregation  to  him,  and  he  was  at  once  unanimous- 
ly called. 

What  no  doubt  added  greatly  to  the  efficiency  and 
success  of  his  pastorate  here  was  its  being  early  at- 
tended with  a  remarkable  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spir- 
it. Not  long  after  his  settlement,  when  his  family 
were  away,  a  feeling  of  special  loneliness  seems  to 
have  come  over  him,  and  he  became  deeply  de- 
pressed. With  all  his  vivacity  and  hopefulness,  he 
was  subject  to  occasional  depressions.  Perhaps  he 
missed  the  old  friendships  of  Wheeling,  when  the 
Baltimore  ones  had  not  fully  ripened. 

He  looked  on  the  dark  side  ;  he  saw  discourage- 
ments that  had  not  occurred  to  him  when  the  field 
was  viewed  from  a  distance.      He  questioned  wheth- 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         joi 

er  he  ought  to  have  left  his  former  charge  where  he 
was  doing  so  useful  a  work  and  was  so  beloved. 
But  out  of  the  depths  he  cried  unto  the  Lord, 
How  often  has  that  call,  ^'  Lord,  I  am  oppressed, 
undertake  for  me  !  "  been  graciously  answered.  And 
he  found  how  God's  power  is  made  perfect  in  hu- 
man weakness.  The  Spirit  was  poured  down  from 
above,  and  a  most  precious  revival  followed.  More 
than  one  hundred  were  added  to  the  church  that 
year,  and  nearly  two  hundred  in  that  and  the  follow- 
ing year.  Many  of  them  were  persons  who  had 
been  prominent  in  politics  and  business.  Husbands 
and  wives,  parents  and  children,  teachers  and  schol- 
ars, young  men  and  maidens  all  stood  together  here 
and  professed  their  covenant  vows. 

This  season  of  refreshing  gave  an  impulse  to  the 
church  that  continued  for  years.  The  membership 
was  doubled.  Many  became  active  workers.  It  deep- 
ened the  unction  of  his  preaching,  gave  increased 
efficiency  to  his  pastoral  work,  brought  him  into 
more  intimate  communion  with  the  people,  and  thus 
greatly  enhanced  his  influence  in  the  congregation, 
and  his  reputation  in  the  community.  He  had  only 
to  be  thus  more  intimately  known  to  be  felt.  His 
warm  enthusiasm,  his  genial  temperament,  his  keen 
insight  into  human  nature,  his  tender  sympathy,  his 
ripe  experience,  his  inexhaustible  fund  of  anecdote, 
his  v/onderful  power  of  illustration,  detecting  the 
slightest  analogies,  his  readiness  in  reply,  all  gave 
him  great  influence  in  social  life.  Those  who  came 
in   contact  with  him  at  the  family  board,  friendly 


J02  Me^norial. 


gatherings  or  more  public  meetings  were  always 
deeply  impressed  with  this.  These  remarkable  gifts 
rendered  him  an  invaluable  co-worker  in  such  a  city. 
He  took  an  interest  in  all  questions,  was  always 
ready  to  bear  his  part.  What  he  said  was  to  the 
point,  his  selections  for  reading,  his  devotional  ser- 
vices, his  addresses  were  appropriate  and  at  the 
same  time  animating  and  stirring.  So  that  his  breth- 
ren regarded  him  as  a  host  in  himself.  Our  weeks 
of  prayer  have  never  had  such  an  interest  since. 

After  ten  or  twelve  years,  through  such  a  success- 
ful ministry,  and  his  appearances  in  our  church 
courts,  his  reputation  had  become  widely  extended 
over  the  church.  In  1868,  before  the  re-union,  on 
the  resignation  of  Dr.  Musgrave,  he  was  called  to 
the  Secretaryship  of  the  O.  S.  Board  of  Domestic 
Missions.  His  brethren  then  felt  that  he  was  emi- 
nently qualified  to  fill  most  usefully  and  successfully 
this  important  post.  The  call  deeply  impressed 
him,  but  he  loved  the  pastoral  office,  and  as  his  own 
mind  was  not  clear,  and  he  devolved  the  responsi- 
bility of  a  decision  on  the  Presbytery,  it  was,  after 
careful  deliberation,  determined  that  he  ought  not 
to  go — and  Presbytery  refused  to  dissolve  the  pas- 
toral relation. 

The  attention  of  the  whole  church,  however,  was 
directed  to  him  as  a  fit  person  for  such  a  post.  And 
at  the  re-union  in  1870  he  was  not  only  elected  Per- 
manent Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  but  also 
when  the  whole  benevolent  work  of  the  church  had 
to  be  readjusted,  and  it  was  found  that  an  able,  thor- 


Funeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         joj 

oughly  qualified  Old  School  man  must  be  selected 
to  go  into  the  Secretaryship  of  the  Home  Board — 
upon  the  success  of  which  that  of  all  the  others 
greatly  depended — he  was  at  once  unanimously 
elected,  on  the  nomination  of  the  late  Dr.  Adams, 
then  the  leader  of  the  New  School  branch  of  the 
church.  It  seems  now  a  remarkable  coincidence 
that  his  physician  and  devoted  friend  (who  was  a 
member  of  Presbytery  as  an  Elder,  when  the  sub- 
ject of  his  dismissal  came  again  before  the  body  in 
1870,  and  earnestly  opposed  it)  gave  it  as  his  opin- 
ion that  if  he  were  transferred  to  that  post  he  would 
not  live  more  than  ten  years  :  and  he  did  actually 
break  down  just  ten  years  after,  and  died  the  next 
year  on  the  same  day  of  the  month.  This,  how- 
ever, no  friend  could  foresee.  His  field  of  labor  in 
this  church  had  somewhat  changed.  After  the  war 
the  city  began  to  extend  rapidly  north,  west  and 
east.  Business  increasingly  encroached  upon  this 
neighborhood  :  the  residences  of  the  congregation 
rapidly  changed  ;  numbers  of  his  old  parishioners 
moved  up  town  ;  so  that  after  ten  years  hardly  any 
of  those  he  left  continued  near  the  church.  He  felt 
greatly  the  pressure  of  the  call  in  that  crisis  of  the 
church,  and  the  change  alluded  to  no  doubt  recon- 
ciled him  to  a  removal ;  and,  after  prayerful  delibera- 
tion, he  expressed  his  willingness  to  accept  the 
post.  Presbytery,  reluctant  as  it  was  to  dissolve  the 
pastoral  relation,  and  grant  him  a  dismission,  did 
not  feel  at  liberty  longer  to  refuse.  It  has  been  a 
great  satisfaction  to  me  to  learn  recently  that,  while 


304  Alemorial. 

he  never  expressed  a  regret  that  he  went  when  he 
did,  yet  he  did  say  that  he  was  grateful  he  did  not 
go  in  1868,  as  the  last  two  years  of  his  pastorate 
were  among  the  pleasantest  of  his  life.  And  I  no- 
tice that  the  accessions  to  his  church  in  these  years 
were  greater  than  in  any  except  the  years  of  special 
revival. 

The  results  of  the  ten  years  labor  as  Secretary  of 
the  Board  also  seem  to  justify  the  step.  A  better 
selection  could  not  have  been  made.  He  was  pre- 
eminently fitted,  in  talents  and  disposition,  in  gifts 
and  graces,  for  this  most  responsible  post,  in  which, 
under  God,  he  accomplished  so  much  for  the  church 
and  his  generation.  The  Presbyterian  church  has 
been  highly  favored  in  having  so  distinguished  men 
to  fill  such  important  and  responsible  positions 
through  her  history,  some  of  whom  have  gone  to 
their  reward.  You  will  at  once  recall  the  names  of 
Walter  Lowrie,  John  Breckinridge,  Cortlandt  Van 
Rensselaer,  and  others  that  will  ever  be  held  in  hon- 
ored remembrance.  Each  had  specially  eminent 
gifts.  But  no  Secretary  ever  made  deeper  impress- 
ions, waked  warmer  interest,  or  won  more  hearts  by 
his  eloquent  appeals  in  the  pulpit,  on  the  platform, 
or  on  the  floor  of  an  ecclesiastical  body,  than  our 
revered  brother.  His  first  official  appearance,  in  the 
General  Assembly  at  Chicago,  in  1871,  stirred  that 
body  as  it  had  never  been  stirred  before.  No  one 
who  then  heard  him  will  ever  forget  the  occasion. 
These  impressions  were  repeated  at  each  succeeding 
Assembly.     His  addresses  became  the  prominent 


Fiuicral  Services  at  Baltimore.         jo^ 


features  of  the  meetings.  So  wherever  he  went,  from 
Presbytery  to  Presbytery,  from  Synod  to  Synod,  he 
kindled  an  enthusiasm  much  Hke  that  of  Alexander 
Duff  when  he  first  returned  from  India,  and  so  stir- 
red Scotland  on  the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions. 
His  last,  perhaps  profoundest,  impression  was  made 
at  the  first  Pan  Presbyterian  Council  in  Edinburgh, 
on  ''Home  Missions  in  the  United  States." 

But  time  would  fail  me  should  I  attempt  to  depict 
this  last  ten  years'  work — his  high  conception  of 
what  was  to  be  done  in  evangelizing  the  land,  his 
fidelity,  conscientiousness,  supreme  devotion  to  the 
work — how  he  studied  the  field,  journeyed,  wrote, 
spoke,  ever  saying  "This  one  thing  I  do."  The  re- 
quirements were  arduous  and  exacting,  and  his  ser- 
vices were  manifold.  But  it  was  too  much  for  him. 
The  anxious  thought,  the  earnest  activity,  the  intense 
excitement,  spending  and  being  spent,  wore  him 
out  prematurely.  Inan  ordinary  pastoral  charge  he 
might,  humanly  speaking,  have  labored  on  through 
another  decade  or  more.  But  in  this  service  he 
broke  down.  It  was,  however,  in  his  Master's  cause, 
and  he  never  begrudged  the  sacrifice ;  I  merely 
now  recall  it  that  you  may  have  in  mind,  as  we  carry 
him  to  his  burial,  what  God  did  by  him,  and  what 
He  will  permit  those  to  do  for  His  cause  who 
are  willing  to  present  their  "bodies  a  living  sacrifice, 
holy  and  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your  reason- 
able service." 

And  now,  in  conclusion,  I  will  only  add  that  at 
the  first  funeral  service  I  attended  with  him,  as  we 


jo6  Memorial. 


stood  by  the  open  grave  and  lowered  down  the  cof- 
fined remains,  in  a  clear  and  distinct  voice  he  recit- 
ed that  answer  of  the  Catechism,  ''The  souls  of  be- 
"lievers  are  at  their  death  made  perfect  in  holiness, 
''and  do  immediately  pass  into  glory ;  and  their 
"bodies,  being  still  united  to  Christ,  do  rest  in  their 
"graves  till  the  resurrection."  The  faith  and  hope 
of  these  precious  truths  give  what  an  aspect  to  this 
occasion  !  Look  into  that  coffin.  He  is  not  there. 
He  is  risen.  We  look  merely  to  see  the  place  where 
he  laid — the  tabernacle  in  which  he  dwelt  for  a  time. 
"The  Lord  formed  man  out  of  the  dust  of  the 
"ground,  and  breathed  into  his  nostrils  the  breath 
"of  life."  The  dust  must  return  to  the  earth  as  it 
was,  must  rest  in  the  grave ;  be  taken  down,  as  the 
house  infected  with  leprosy,  that  it  may  be  recon- 
structed in  the  resurrection,  and  "fashioned  like  un- 
"to  our  Saviour's  glorious  body."  "As  by  one  man 
"sin  entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin  ;  so 
"death  passed  upon  all,  for  that  all  have  sinned." 
The  bodies  of  believers,  however,  are  still  united  to 
Christ.  And  He  has  said  "I  am  the  resurrection 
"and  the  life  :  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he 
"were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live." 

But  the  Spirit  shall  ascend  to  God  who  gave  it — 
it  is  now,  this  day,  with  Christ  in  Paradise — it  has 
entered  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord.  "If  I  go  and  pre- 
pare a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again  and  receive 
you  unto  m3^self."  Comfort  one  another  with  these 
words.  He  shall  not  return  to  us,  but  we  may  go 
to  him.     Give  all  diligence  to  make  your  calling 


Ftmeral  Services  at  Baltimore.         joj 

sure.  So  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  unto  you 
abundantly  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  address  Dr.  Backus  read 
the  hymn  : 

"High  in  yonder  realms  of  light 

Dwell  the  raptured  saints  above, 
Far  beyond  our  mortal  sight, 

Happy  in  Immanuel's  love; 
Pilgrims  in  this  vale  of  tears, 

Once  they  knew,  like  us  below, 
Gloomy  doubts,  distressing  fears, 

Torturing  pain  and  heavy  woe. 

'*  'Mid  the^chorus  of  the  skies, 

'Mid  the  angelic  lyres  above. 
Hark!  their  songs  triumphant  rise — 

Songs  of  praise  to  Jesus'  love; 
Happy  spirits,  they  are  fled 

Where  no  grief  can  entrance  find, 
Lulled  to  rest  the  aching  head. 

Soothed  the  anguish  of  the  mind. 

"All  is  tranquil  and  serene. 

Calm  and  undisturbed  repose; 
There  no  cloud  can  intervene, 

There  no  angry  tempest  blows; 
Every  tear  is  wiped  away. 

Sighs  no  more  shall  heave  the  breast; 
Night  is  lost  in  endless  day, 

Sorrow  in  eternal  rest." 

After  the  singing  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  F.  Stearns,  of 
Newark,  New  Jersey,  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions,  made  a  short  address. 


joS  Memorial. 


The  Rev.  Dr.  William  C.  Roberts,  the  newly-chos- 
en successor  of  Dr.  Dickson,  as  Secretary  of  the 
Board,  then  made  the  following  address  : 

"  What  means  this  concourse  of  solemn  worship- 
pers, and  the  pall  of  sadness  resting  on  every  heart  .-^ 
A  Prince  in  Israel  has  fallen,  and  the  people  have 
come  together  to  do  him  honor.  It  cannot  be  said 
of  him,  as  of  the  illustrious  Patriarch,  ''  He  died  in  a 
good  old  age,  an  old  man,  and  full  of  years  ;  for  his 
eye  was  not  dim,  nor  was  his  natural  force  abated.  He 
was  not  prostrated  by  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day, 
nor  by  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness  ;  but 
he  was  brought  to  death  in  the  midst  of  his  years,  a 
victim  to  constant  care  and  incessant  toil  for  his 
country's  good.  If  it  is  sweet  and  praiscAvorthy  to 
die  for  one's  country,  it  is  surely  sweeter  and  more 
praiseworthy  to  die  for  the  eternal  well  being  of 
one's  people.  We  have  now  before  us  an  illustrious 
example  of  such  a  death. 

Dr.  Dickson  was  so  tender  and  sympathetic  that 
he  was  touched  by  every  note  of  sorrow,  and  ready  to 
bear  upon  his  generous  heart  all  the  trials  and  dis- 
couragements of  his  brethren.  Knowing  this.  Chris- 
tian mothers  besought  him  to  send  missionaries  to 
care  for  their  boys  who  had  gone  to  the  plains  of 
Nebraska,  the  far  off  Rocky  Mountains,  and  beyond 
the  snow-capped  peaks  of  the  Sierras.  College 
classmates,  from  distant  fields,  begged  of  him,  for 
the  sake  of  old  and  sacred  associations,  to  help 
them  in  their  poverty,  to  relieve  them  in  their  em- 
barassments,  and  cheer  them  in  their  despondency. 


Funeral  Services  at  Balthnore.         jog 

Old  friends  pleaded  with  him  to  send  the  Word  of 
Life  to  their  destitute  neighborhoods,  and  remember 
the  perishing  in  their  midst.  These  pitiful  appeals 
of  mothers,  classmates  and  friends  rang  in  his  ears 
day  and  night.  He  presented  them  to  God  in  pray- 
er, pressed  them  on  the  attention  of  the  churches, 
and  incorporated  them  in  his  great  speeches  before 
the  Synod  and  the  General  Assembly.  All  of  this 
was  prostrating  to  the  mind  and  paralyzing  to  the 
powers  of  the  body. 

To  a  sensitive  nature  like  his  the  draught  upon 
the  nervous  sensibilities,  in  ordinary  times,  must 
have  been  almost  beyond  endurance ;  but  in  such 
years  as  followed  the  moneyed  crisis  of  1873  it  was 
unavoidably  prostrating.  The  people  as  well  as 
their  pastors  suffered  in  many  sections  of  our  land 
for  the  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  the 
Board  was  unable  to  render  them  the  needed  help. 
Anxiety  about  the  means  necessary  to  carry  on  the 
work  of  the  Board  greatly  increased  the  burden  un- 
der which  his  stout  heart  was  already  staggering. 
Be  spent  sleepless  nights  over  the  condition  of  the 
work  of  Missions,  and  poured  forth  such  loud  ap- 
peals in  the  ears  of  Presbyteries  and  Synods  as  de- 
manded of  him  more  vitality  and  nervous  energy- 
than  he  could  afford  to  expend.  When  urged  by  his 
friends  to  leave  his  work,  and  recruit  his  wasted 
powers,  his  invariable  reply  was  "not  now."  His 
cry  to  the  last  was,  "  My  country,  my  people,  my 
beloved  church  !" 

The  two  characteristics  that  particularly  distin- 


310  Memorial. 

guished   Dr.  Dickson  were  his  lovcableness  and  his 
piety.     Of  him  it  may  truly  be  said  : 

"None  knew  him  but  to  love, 
None  named  him,  but  to  praise." 

Even  little  children  were  attracted  to  him  by  his 
pleasant  smile  and  winning  ways.  His  friends  felt 
that  there  was  magic  in  his  presence  as  well  as  mag- 
netism in  his  tongue.  No  stranger  ever  approached 
him  but  with  respect  amounting  almost  to  love. 

His  crowning  glory  was,  perhaps,  his  deep  and 
ardent  piety,  which  rendered  more  attractive  his 
other  shining  traits  of  character.  He  combined  in 
admirable  proportions,  the  emotional  and  the  intel- 
lectual. Though  one  of  the  most  ardent  of  men,  yef 
he  never  felt  that  religion  consisted  in  mere  feeling, 
however  deep  or  heavenly.  He  was  a  Bible  Chris- 
tian. He  incorporated  its  principles  in  his  life  and 
actions  and  looked  upon  its  precepts  as  the  only  in- 
fallible rule  of  faith  and  practice.  His  Christian 
experience  and  Christian  activity  went  hand  in  hand. 
He  was.  satisfied  that  he  could  impress  others  only 
in  proportion  to  the  depths  of  his  own  personal 
knowledge  of  what  he  was  urging  upon  them.  His 
piety  was  not  bold  and  demonstrative,  but  gentle 
and  full-fed  from  the  perennial  springs  which  flow 
from  the  Eternal  Hills.  He  fought  a  good  fight,  and 
kept  the  faith.  He  laid  his  richest  treasures,  like 
the  wise  men  from  the  East,  at  the  feet  of  King  Je- 
sus, and  his  name  shall  be  had  in  everlasting  re- 
membrance. 


Fii7teral  Services  at  Baltimore.         jii 


* 'Servant  of  God,  well  done  ! 
Rest  from  thy  sweet  employ; 
The  battle  fought,  the  victory  won, 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy." 

After  prayer,  by  Dr.  Roberts,  the  coffin  was  borne 
to  the  vestibule,  attended  by  the  clergymen,  where 
an  opportunity  was  afforded  to  all  who  wished  to 
look  upon  the  face  of  him  whom  they  should  see  no 
more  on  earth. 

After  the  congregation  had  withdrawn,  the  family, 
clergymen  and  bearers,  and  a  few  friends  followed 
the  precious  dust  to  Loudon  Park  Cemetery,  where 
it  was  lowered  into  its  prepared  resting  place.  The 
remains  of  Louisa  H.  Dickson,  the  youngest  child, 
who  died  Nov.  4,  1857,  had  reposed  in  a  vault  be- 
neath Westminister  church  until  this  morning,  when 
they  had  been  laid  in  her  father's  grave. 

As  the  first  handful  of  earth  was  cast  in,  the  Rev. 
William  J.  Gill  said  : 

"  In  the  hope  of  a  glorious  resurrection  we  com- 
mit earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes." 

W^hen  it  was  filled,  an  anchor  of  pure  white  flow- 
ers and  ivy  leaves  vv^as  laid  upon  it  by  one  whom  he 
had  baptized  in  infancy  and  received  to  the  commu- 
nion of  the  church. 

Then  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gill  repeated  : 

''  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  He 
shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth  : 

And  though  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this 
body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God  : 

Whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine  eyes  shall 


^12  Memorial. 


behold,  and  not  another ;  though  my  reins  be  con- 
sumed within  me. 

And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto 
me.  Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord,  from  henceforth  :  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that 
they  may  rest  from  their  labors  ;  and  their  works  do 
follow  them/* 

He  then  pronounced  the  Benediction,  when  the 
company  retired. 

The  Honorary  Bearers  were  : 

Benjamin  Whiteley,  W.  K.  Carson, 

H.  P.  C.  Wilson,  D.  Holliday, 

E.  H.  Perkins,  J.  K.  White. 

The  acting  bearers  were  : 

William  G.  Sproston,  B.  F.  Smith, 

George  S.  Sproston,  E.  S.  Heath, 

Russell  Murdoch,  J.  J.  Smith. 

All  twelve  were  friends  of  many  years,  and,  with 
one  exception,  had  been  officers  or  members  of 
Westminster  church  during  his  pastorate.  That  ex- 
ception was  an  officer  of  another  church. 

It  was  a  beautiful  September  day,  and  the  warm, 
bright  sunshine,  and  the  calmness  and  peace  that 
prevailed,  together  with  the  sweet  words  of  comfort 
that  had  been  uttered,  had  a  soothing  influence 
upon  the  little  company  that  now  separated  for  their 
homes. 


III. 

MEMORIAL  SERVICES  AT 
FRANKLIN-,  PENN. 


**  What  is  done  is  done  ;  Jias  already  blended  itself 

ivitJi  the  boundless,  eve  Hiving^  everworking  Universe, 

and  zvill  also  work  there  for  good  or  for  evil,  openly  or 

seei'etly,  throughout  all  tinier 

Carlyle. 

^^The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance!^ 

Psalm  cxii.  6. 


III.   MEMORIAL  SERVICES  AT  FRANKLIN, 

PENN. 


When  the  tidings  came  that  Dr.  Dickson  was  no 
longer  amongst  the  hving  of  earth,  the  Session  of 
the  church  of  Franklin,  where  he  had  exercised  his 
first  ministry,  was  convened  to  take  action  express- 
ive of  their  love  for  the  man,  and  of  reverence  for 
his  memory.  After  conversation  in  regard  to  his 
work  in  this  individual  church,  and  the  yet  more 
important  work  in  the  church  at  large,  the  following 
resolutions  were  adopted: 

Whereas,  God  in  his  all  wise  providence  has 
called  to  his  rest.  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.,  a  for- 
mer pastor  of  this  Church,  a  valued  minister  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  a  Secretary  of  one  of  the  important 
Boards  of  the  Church  ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  I.  That  in  this  dispensation  we  recog- 
nize the  hand  of  God,  and  bow  reverently  to  His 
sovereign  will. 

//.  That  calling  to  mind  the  excellency  of  his 
character,  his  valuable  services  to  this  church  and 
the  church  at  large,  we  record  our  sincere  sorrow 
at  his  death,  the  testimony  of  our  deep  affection  for 
his  memory,  and  our  unalterable  love  for  him  as  our 
former  pastor. 


Si6  Me?noriaL 


III.  That  in  view  of  his  former  relation  to  this 
church  and  his  life  long  attachment  to  it,  and  of  the 
deep  love  and  reverence  we  bear  in  our  hearts  for 
him,  the  chancel  of  the  church  be  draped  in  mourn- 
ing for  thirty  days,  and  a  memorial  service  held  on 
Sabbath  morning,  Sep.  25th. 

IV.  That  a  copy  of  this  paper  be  sent  to  the 
family  of  our  departed  brother,  and  spread  upon  the 
records  of  the. church. 

Signed  by  the  clerk. 

In  accordance  with  these  resolutions,  memorial 
services  were  held  in  the  church  on  the  morning  of 
Sabbath,  the  twenty-fifth  of  September,  1881,  TJie 
chancel,  reading  desk,  and  tables  were  draped  taste- 
fully in  sables  by  the  loving  hands  of  those  who 
had  listened  to  the  voice  of  the  preacher  in  child- 
hood. One  of  the  large  chairs  in  the  chancel  was 
similarly  draped,  and  on  a  small  table  by  its  side 
was  a  large  harp  of  Immortelles,  the  offering  of  a 
life -long  friend.  Vases  and  baskets  of  flowers,  the 
spontaneous  offerings  of  friends,  were  placed  on  the 
desk,  on  the  platform,  and  on  the  table  beneath  the 
pulpit.  The  sweet  breath  of  calla  lilies  mingled 
with  that  of  white  carnations  and  rose  buds  floated 
out  on  the  atmosphere,  and  testified  to  the  kind 
memories  that  lingered  in  the  community. 

After  a  solemn  and  fitting  anthem  by  the  choir, 
and  Invocation,  the  75 2d  selection  from  the  Hymnal 
was  sung : 


Memorial  Services  at  Frankli7i,  Penn.  jiy 


"  Soon  aud  forever — such  promise  our  trust," 
Though  ashes  to  ashes  and  dust  unto  dust — 
"  Soon  and  forever"  our  union  shall  be 
Made  perfect,  our  glorious  Redeemer!  in  Thee; 
When  the  sins  and  the  sorrows  of  time  shall  be  o'er 
Its  pangs  and  its  partings  remembered  no  more, 
Where  life  cannot  fail  and  where  death  caimot  sever : 
Christians  with  Christ  shall  be  ''  soon  and  forever." 

"  Soon  and  forever  the  work  shall  be  done, 
The  warfare  accomplished,  the  victory  won; 
Soon  and  forever  the  soldier  lays  down 
His  SAvord  for  a  harp  and  his  cross  for  a  crown. 
Then  droop  not  in  sorrow,  despond  not  in  fear, 
A  glorious  to-morrow  is  brightening  and  near ; 
"When — blessed  reward  of  each  faithful  endeavor — • 
Christians  with  Christ  shall  be  "soon  and  forever." 

After  reading  appropriate  selections  from  the 
Word,  and  prayer  by  the  pastor,  the  five  hundred 
and  eighty-seventh  hymn  was  sung  : 

"  What  though  the  arm  of  conqu'ring  death 

Does  God's  ow^n  house  invade.? 
What  though  the  prophet  and  the  priest 

Be  numbered  with  the  dead? 

Though  earthly  shepherds  dwell  in  dust, 

The  aged  aud  the  younij. 
The  watchful  eye  in  darkness  closed, 

And  mute  th'  instructive  tongue. 

Th'  eternal  shepherd  still  survives, 

New  comfoj't  to  impart ; 
His  eye  still  guides  us  ;  and  his  voice 

Still  animates  our  heart. 

*  Lo  I  am  with  you  ! '  saith  the  Lord ; 

Thy  church  shall  safe  abide. 
For  Thou  wilt  ne'er  forsake  Thine  own 

Whose  souls  in  Thee  confide." 


ji8  Memorial. 


The  following  memorial  discourse  was  then  de- 
livered by  the  pastor  of  the  church  :  Rev.  S.  J.  M. 
Eaton,  D.  D.: 

Memorial  Sermon. 

^^How  is  the  strong  staff  broken y  and  the  beautiful 
rod r — Jeremiah  xlviii  :  17. 

On  the  tomb  of  ^schylus  of  Athens  was  inscrib- 
ed this  brief  sentence  :  **He  was  a  soldier  and 
fought  on  the  field  of  Marathon."  This  epitaph  was 
framed  by  himself.  No  mention  was  made  of  his  great 
excellencies  as  a  poet.  No  reference  to  his  wonder- 
ful triumphs  as  a  writer  of  tragedies,  under  the  in- 
fluence of  which  the  multitude  wept  and  laughed  as 
they  were  moved  by  the  power  of  his  genius  and 
his  strong  grasp  of  their  emotional  natures.  There 
was  only  to  his  mind  this  one  fact  :  he  had  been  a 
soldier,  and  stood  up  for  his  country  when  the  enemy 
was  thundering  at  its  gates.  In  that  heroic  age  war 
bore  in  its  bosom  the  very  highest  achievements  of 
human  glory.  To  stand  up  for  one's  country,  and 
suffer  and  die  in  its  cause,  furnished  the  strongest 
claims  to  immortality.  The  Spartan  mother  gave 
her  son  a  shield  on  the  eve  of  his  marching  to  bat- 
tle, with  the  curt  speech :  ''Return  with  this,  or  on 
it!" 

The  world  has  more  light  now  than  when  ^schy- 
lus  fought  at  Marathon.  The  standard  of  heroism 
is  different  now  from  what  it  was  when  mothers  sent 
their  sons  to  battle  and  to  death  for  a  name  and  an 
empty  fame.     The  better  light  is  that  which  beamed 


Memorial  Se7'vices  at  Franklin,  Pe7in.  jig 

forth  from  the  cross  planted  at  Jerusalem  eighteen 
centuries  and  a  half  ago.  It  is  the  light  that  goes 
down  into  the  deepest  depths  of  the  human  heart, 
and  removes  its  gloom.  It  is  the  light  that  falls  on 
the  pathway  of  human  duty,  and  shows  how  the 
grandest  achievements  in  the  life  of  an  immortal 
soul  may  be  wrought  out.  It  is  the  light  that  shows 
the  way  up  the  steeps  of  life,  and  away  beyond  the 
earth  and  the  stars,  to  the  very  home  of  the  Highest ! 

And  under  this  light  and  this  sublime  vision,  the 
highest  triumphs  of  humanity  are  recorded  in  lan- 
guage far  different  from  that  of  the  tragic  poet  of 
Athens.  The  sublimest  knowledge  now  is  to  know 
the  only  true  God  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  He  has 
sent.  The  grandest  achievements  are  wrought  out 
now,  not  on  the  tented  field,  not  amid  the  roar  and 
crash  of  battle,  but  in  the  simple,  sublime  service  of 
Jesus  Christ.  In  this  service  a  name  is  to  be  se- 
cured that  will  be  bright  when  stars  grow  pale  ;  and 
'crowns  and  palms  and  harps  inherited,  that  will  be 
beautiful  when  all  this  world's  fair  things  have  turn- 
ed to  dust ! 

The  soldier  of  the  Cross,  the  minister  of  Jesus 
Christ,  who  has  been  faithful  unto  death,  has  achiev- 
ed a  success  that  surpasses  "all  Greek,  all  Roman 
fame."  His  work  on  earth  is  in  connection,  not 
with  a  temporal,  but  with  a  spiritual  kingdom  ;  not 
with  wars  and  battles,  the  results  of  human  ambi- 
tion or  human  love  of  power,  but  of  the  pulling 
down  of  the  strongholds  of  sin  and  Satan,  and  the 


320  Me77iorial. 

establishment  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  on  the  earth, 
and  its  final  victory  over  the  kingdom  of  sin. 

And  the  work  of  God's  people  is  partly  on  earth 
and  partly  in  heaven.  It  is  carried  forward  here  in 
the  midst  of  weakness  and  pain  and  dying.  It,  will 
be  carried  forward  hereafter  in  the  light  of  God  ; 
away  above  the  utmost  bounds  of  the  everlasting 
hills,  where  worlds,  that  now  seem  like  the  powder- 
ed star-dust  on  the  robe  of  night,  will  be  all  ablaze 
with  the  glory  of  God,  and  be  fitting  fields  for  the 
service  of  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  throughout 
the  eternal  years. 

This  world  and  all  the  worlds  are  fast  anchored 
to  the  throne  of  God.  Just  as  the  silver  cord  of 
gravity  binds  them  all  together  by  physical  law,  so 
does  the  golden  cord  of  eternal  love  bind  them  all 
together  in  the  loving  embrace  of  the  Great  Father 
of  light  and  love. 

And  the  throne  and  the  footstool  may  be  nearer 
together  than  we  mortals  ever  dream  of.  If  we  had 
the  spiritual  perception  Jacob  had  at  Bethel,  we 
might  often  see  the  same  golden  ladder  that  was 
visible  to  him,  reaching  up  from  earth  to  heaven,  and 
not  only  the  angels  of  God  ascending  and  descend- 
ing, but  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  ascending  its  gol- 
den rounds,  under  the  convoy  of  the  angels,  going 
up  to  higher  spheres  of  service  and  more  blessed 
enjoyments  in  the  realms  of  the  beautiful.  But  our 
visions  are  dull ;  our  conceptions  are  material,  and 
we  judge  from  what  we  see  with  our  natural  eye,  and 
we  think  of  heaven  as  very  far  away,  and  of  those 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin  Pemt.    J2T 

who  leave  us  here  as  gone  forever  from  our  sight. 
And  when  some  illustrious  servant  of  God  lays  down 
his  battered  armor,  and  his  shield  and  spear,  bruised 
and  broken  in  the  conflict,  to  go  up  to  the  presence 
of  the  King,  and  be  crowned,  and  enter  upon  his 
kingdom,  we  cry  out  in  our  sorrow  and  tears  :  ''How 
is  the  strong  staff  broken,  and  the  beautiful  rod !  " 

We  too  often  fail  to  read  God's  providence  in  the 
light  of  the  world  to  come.  We  do  not  avail  our- 
selves of  the  light  God  gives  us  to  interpret  what 
else  is  so  dark  and  mysterious.  We  look  to  poor 
human  reason  alone,  and  are  sadly  misled  in  mat- 
ters that  are  vastly  above  all  reason  and  all  natural 
light.  We  try  to  look  at  the  outer  court  and  find  all 
mysteries  solved  there,  and  forget  the  glory  of  the 
inner  sanctuary,  beautiful  with  light  and  with  the 
clear  revelation  of  God.  We  weep  over  the  present 
and  forget  the  joy  of  the  future.  We  place  our  faces 
in  the  dust  of  earth  and  cry  out  "how  dark  this  world 
is,"  and  forget  to  look  up  at  the  stars,  where  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  is  revealed.  When  we  cry  out,  how 
is  the  strong  staff  broken,  in  regard  to  the  depart- 
ure of  God's  servants,  we  forget  that  God  has  said, 
"  I  will  make  him  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of  my  God, 
and  he  shall  go  no  more  out."  We  forget  that  the 
beautiful  rod,  instead  of  being  broken  and  thrown 
away,  has  budded  more  beautifully  in  the  House  of 
the  Lord  than  did  that  of  Aaron  in  the  Tabernacle, 
and  is  stronger  and  more  beautiful  in  heaven  than  it 
could  be  upon  the  earth.  Earth  is  but  the  training 
school  of  heaven.     The  redeemed  of  the  Lord  are 


^22  MemoriaL 


on  the  earth  prepared  for  their  work  in  heaven. 
And  as  true  life  only  dawns  when  the  gates  of  im- 
mortality are  thrown  open,  so  the  full  service  only 
commences  when  God's  people  pass  through  this 
gate,  and  look  upon  God,  and  see  His  kingdom  in  all 
its  length  and  breadth  and  beauty  and  glory  !  Oh  ! 
not  broken,  but  made  strong  is  the  staff,  when  the 
sweet,  restful  change  comes.  Still  more  beautiful 
and  glorious  is  the  beautiful  rod,  when  the  curtain 
is  rolled  away  that  separates  between  the  holy  place 
of  this  life  and  the  Holy  of  Holies  of  the  life  to 
come. 

Providence  has  its  great  mysteries.  We  cannot 
fathom  them  here  ;  we  cannot  take  in  the  mighty 
sweep  of  the  pathway  of  Omnipotence,  nor  can  we 
see  the  steps  by  which  He  accomplishes  His  infinite 
counsels.  We  but  trust  in  His  wisdom  and  faithful- 
ness and  leave  results  to  Him.  We  sit  under  the 
cloud  and  see  but  its  dark  shadow.  We  look  only 
at  its  sombre  folds,  its  gloomy  reflection,  and  at  the 
jealous  hiding  of  the  sunlight.  We  forget  the  rain 
that  is  borne  in  its  bosom  to  water  the  earth  ;  the 
electricity  that  hides  in  its  folds  to  purify  the  atmos- 
phere and  restore  the  equilibrium  of  its  many  for- 
ces ;  and  lose  sight  altogether  of  the  soft  silver  and 
burnished  gold  that  deck  and  beautify  its  upper  stra- 
ta, as  the  great  sun  looks  upon  it  and  paints  it  with 
his  golden  beams. 

We  look  at  some  beautiful  and  valuable  life  that 
has  gone  out  when  we  thought  the  world  and  the 
church  most  needed  it,  and  cry  out,  how  mysterious 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Penn.  J2J 


are  the  ways  of  Providence  !  How  unsearchable  are 
His  judgments,  and  His  ways  past  finding  out !  But 
in  this  we  are  taking  our  view  from  the  earthly 
standpoint ;  we  see  but  the  earth  side  of  the  cloud. 
We  forget  the  beautiful,  heavenward  side,  all  lustrous 
with  the  light  of  God.  So  let  us  remember  that  the 
life  broken  off  here,  however  beautiful  and  valuable, 
is  continued  in  the  hereafter — that  the  song  with 
mingled  notes  of  pain  and  gladness,  when  broken 
off  here,  will  burst  forth  in  beauty  and  joy,  and  be- 
come lofty  and  triumphant  forever  in  heaven.  God 
has  some  grand,  excellent  work  in  heaven  for  those 
who  have  been  his  valued  and  faithful  servants  upon 
earth. 

The  world  is  all  beautiful  and  God's  service  on 
earth  desirable  ;  it  bears  with  it  so  much  sweetness 
and  joy  ;  but  the  world  to  come  is  far  more  beautiful, 
and  God's  service  infinitely  more  desirable  than 
here.  And  God  chooses  the  time  and  the  circum- 
stances when  His  people  shall  be  transfered  to  the 
other  side. 

And  there  is  the  change  from  this  world  to  the 
next.  There  is  the  transfer  from  the  present  to  the 
future, 

*'  But  lying  darkly  between. 

Winding  down  through  the  night, 
Is  the  silent,  unknown  stream. 

That  leads  at  last  to  the  light. 
Closer  and  closer  come  my  steps 

To  the  dread  abysm 
Closer  death  to  my  lips 

Presses  the  awful  chrism  !" 


32^  Memo7nal. 


But  this  stream  is  no  longer  an  unknown  tide.  It 
has  been  crossed  by  Him  at  whose  footprints  it 
shrunk  away  as  did  Jordan  at  the  footprints  of  the 
priests  who  bore  the  Ark  of  the  Lord.  It  is  neith- 
er deep  nor  cold  now  to  those  who  have  faith  in 
God  and  who  walk  by  the  side  of  Jesus.  It  is  only 
to  our  poor,  imperfect  vision  that  the  change  seems 
so  undesirable.  It  is  because  we  cannot  see  that 
the  shadows  that  lie  across  the  valley  so  terrify  us. 
In  the  light  of  the  sublime  faith  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  we  can  be  quite  sure  that  dying  is  to  God's 
people  but  going  in  to  see  the  light  and  be  at  home 
in  eternal  joy. 

Cyrus  Dickson  was  the  third  son  of  William  and 
Christiana  Moorhead  Dickson,  and  was  born  in  Har- 
bor Creek,  Erie  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  twen- 
tieth day  of  December,  1816.  He  was  a  child  of 
the  covenant.  His  father  was  an  elder  in  the  church 
during  the  greater  part  of  his  manhood.  At  one 
time  he  lived  in  Venango  County,  in  the  same 
State  ;  in  his  later  years  he  resided  in  the  State  of 
Illinois.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  in  the  long 
line  of  believing,  praying  Christians.  He  was  early 
dedicated  to  God  in  baptism,  and  from  his  earliest 
childhood  was  taught  the  way  of  life.  That  mother's 
prayers  and  quiet  talks  and  earnest  exhortations  he 
never  forgot.  Through  this  faithful.  Christian  educa- 
tion, by  the  blessing  of  God's  Spirit,  he  was  brought 
into  the  fold  of  Christ.  He  seemed  to  grow  up  into 
the  knowledge  and  truth  of  God,  and  to  feel  that  he 
belonged  to  the  Lord,  and  so  felt  it  not  only  a  duty 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Penn.  J2j 

but  a  privilege  to  consecrate  himself  forever  to  His 
service. 

When  but  a  boy  he  turned  his  face  toward  the 
Gospel  Ministry  and  commenced  his  preparatory 
studies  in  the  Erie  Academy.  Being  a  bright,  hope- 
ful boy,  he  made  good  progress  in  his  studies,  and 
was  in  good  time  prepared  for  College.  The  young 
collegian  gave  promise  of  his  future  devotion  to  the 
Lord's  work  by  engaging  in  the  work  of  tract  dis- 
tribution during  one  of  his  vacations.  It  was  in 
1833,  when  a  boy  of  seventeen  years.  The  Brainard 
Evangelical  Society  had  published  a  little  tract  of 
four  pages,  called  "Duty  to  the  Heathen,"  with  a 
resolution  to  place  a  copy  of  it  in  the  hands  of  every 
family  in  Western  Pennsylvania.  This  work  was  to 
be  done  by  volunteer  students.  During  the  Fall  va- 
cation, Mr.  Dickson,  in  company  with  two  others, 
volunteered  to  take  the  borough  of  Erie  and  nine 
townships  in  his  native  county.  From  what  we 
know  of  the  character  and  resolution  of  the  man, 
we  may  conclude  that  the  work  was  accomplished. 
In  a  letter  yet  extant,  relating  to  this  work,  he  says  : 
''I  must  be  about  my  Father's  business."  He  gradu- 
ated at  Jefferson  College,  Canonsburg,  Pennsylva- 
nia, in  1837,  and  subsequently  received  the  Honor- 
ary degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Washington 
College  in  1858.  After  his  graduation  he  taught 
for  a  time  in  New  Jersey,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Princeton,  carrying  on  his  theological  studies  at  the 
same  time,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Erie  on  the  fifteenth  day  of 


J26  Memorial. 


October,  1839.  ^^  December  of  the  same  year  he 
was  sent  as  a  supply  to  Franklin,  Pennsylvania,  at 
that  time  vacant.  At  this  place  he  gave  such  good 
satisfaction,  and  so  commended  himself  to  the 
hearts  and  judgments  of  the  people  that  a  call  was 
extended  to  him  for  his  pastoral  labors.  This  call 
he  accepted,  and  he  was  ordained  and  installed  as 
pastor  by  the  Presbytery  of  Erie  on  the  twenty- 
fourth  day  of  June,  1840.  This  was  a  most  pleasant 
relation  to  both  pastor  and  people.  The  church  of 
Franklin  was  then  small  and  weak,  and  for  six  years 
he  gave  half  his  time  to  Sugar  Creek,  a  congrega- 
tion about  seven  miles  in  the  country.  The  last 
two  years  of  his  work  at  Franklin  were  given  whol- 
ly to  that  congregation.  There  were  many  young, 
professional  men  in  Franklin  at  that  time,  who  af- 
terwards became  eminent  in  the  political  world,  who 
gave  him  their  support  and  encouragement,  and  he 
soon  ranked  as  one  of  the  most  popular  and  prom- 
ising young  ministers  in  the  church.  There  was  a 
brilliancy  and  glow  about  his  preaching  that  were 
peculiarly  attractive  to  the  hearers,  and  which  gave 
promise  of  a  prominent  future. 

Early  in  the  Spring  of  1848,  an  effort  was  made 
to  secure  his  services  in  a  second  church  in  Wheel- 
ing, West  Virginia,  then  just  organized.  Very  much 
to  the  regret  of  the  people  of  Franklin,  the  young 
minister  was  constrained  to  regard  this  as  a  call  from 
above,  and  asked  the  Presbytery  to  dissolve  his  pas- 
toral relation.  This  was  done  on  the  sixteenth  day  of 
March,  1848,  and  Mr.  Dickson  was  dismissed  to  the 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Pen7i.  J2y 


Presbytery  of  Washington.  At  the  same  meeting 
of  Presbytery  calls  for  his  pastoral  labors  had  been 
presented  from  the  churches  of  Rock  Island  and 
Camden,  Illinois.  These  the  Presbytery  declined 
putting  into  his  hands.  The  pastoral  relation  with 
the  church  in  Franklin  had  continued  about  eight 
years,  attended  by  a  good  degree  of  success,  and 
was  terminated  with  mutual  respect  and  love  on  the 
part  of  both  pastor  and  people. 

In  his  new  field  of  labor  in  Wheeling,  Mr.  Dick- 
son met  with  great  success  in  building  up  the  infant 
church.  He  was  assisted  by  a  number  of  active, 
vigorous  helpers,  who  had  connected  themselves 
with  the  organization,  and  soon  had  the  satisfaction 
of  seeing  the  church  growing  and  prospering 
through  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  His 
labors  seemed  to  be  prospered  and  he  had  the  mind 
to  work. 

All  these  years  he  was  growing,  both  intellectu- 
ally and  spiritually,  and  giving  indications  of  the 
sprightliness  and  brilliancy  that  characterized  his 
maturer  years,  when  called  to  more  important  and 
responsible  fields.  His  popular  manners,  readiness 
of  speech  and  tact  in  seizing  upon  times  and  cir- 
cumstances, in  enforcino^  the  truth  and  illustrating: 
its  power,  gave  him  great  advantages  as  a  preacher 
and  as  a  guide  to  popular  sentiment.  He  gave  a  fresh- 
ness and  zest  to  his  discourses  that  rendered  him 
peculiarly  the  preacher  of  the  day.  While  he  was 
not  unfamiliar  with  close,  laborious  thinking,  even 
at  this  early  day,  yet  he  had  the  tact  of  introduc- 


J28  Memorial. 


ing  the  illustrations  of  the  present  in  such  a  way 
as  to  make  everything  seem  new  and  vivid.  There 
was  the  nicety  of  art  in  his  manner,  yet  the  out- 
ward appearance  of  nature  and  simplicity  that  was 
most  pleasing  and  attractive. 

In  1856  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Westminster 
church,  Baltimore,  Maryland  :  having  served  the 
people  of  the  second  church  in  Wheeling  to  their 
full  satisfaction  and  profit.  It  seemed  to  him  the 
path  of  duty ;  and  with  pain  he  sundered  the  ties 
that  bound  him  to  his  second  pastoral  charge,  and 
took  up  the  work  of  his  life  once  more  amongst 
strangers.  But  he  was  never  long  amongst  strang- 
ers. He  made  friends  rapidly,  and  was  soon  at 
home  in  his  new  field  of  labor. 

Here,  as  in  his  other  pastoral  charges,  he  gather- 
ed around  him  a  willing  band  of  faithful  workers, 
and  the  church  was  increased,  strengthened  and 
edified.  It  seemed  to  him  then  that  Baltimore 
would  be  his  field  of  labor  for  the  remainder  of  his 
active  life.  Both  himself  and  family  became  great- 
ly attached  to  the  city  and  people,  and  felt  as  though 
it  was  to  be  their  home,  after  the  changes  that  had 
been  their  lot  thus  far  in  the  Lord's  work. 

But  the  Master  had  other  and  more  vigorous  work 
for  His  servant.  There  was  to  be  a  change  in  the 
whole  tenor  and  disposition  of  his  work.  And  for 
this,  much  of  the  rough,  vigorous  training  of  his 
early  life  had  been  fitting  him.  The  same  wisdom 
that  took  David  from  following  the  sheep  and  con- 
tending with  the  lion  and   the  bear,  to  rule  over  Is- 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Penn.  J2g 

rael,  was  now  calling  his  servant  who  had  seen  hard 
service  in  cultivating  the  paternal  acres ;  who  had 
toiled  over  the  rough  hills  of  Venango  County, 
Pennsylvania,  seeking  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house 
of  Israel,  and  in  building  up  the  infant  church  of 
Wheeling,  in  West  Virginia,  to  one  of  the  most  re- 
sponsible positions  in  the  church. 

At  the  time  of  the  reunion  of  the  two  branches 
of  the  church,  in  1870,  the  work  of  Home  Missions 
assumed  an  importance  it  had  never  presented  be- 
fore. The  field  was  greatly  enlarged.  What  had 
been  the  work  of  two  churches  was  now  consolida- 
ted into  one,  and  it  was  thought  advisable  to  secure 
the  wisdom  and  judgment  and  labor  of  two  Secreta- 
ries. Dr.  Henry  Kendall  had  commended  himself 
grandly  in  his  work  in  one  of  these  branches,  and 
as  another  was  sought,  the  choice  fell  upon  Dr. 
Dickson,  who,  by  an  unanimous  voice,  was  elected 
Co-ordinate  Secretary  with  Dr.  Kendall.  This 
opened  up  a  new  field  of  effort,  and  brought  into 
service  powers  of  which  his  friends  had  hardly 
dreamed.  His  popular  manners  and  ready,  extempo- 
raneous speech  adapted  him  to  the  work  :  first  of  la- 
boring in  the  regions  beyond,  and  secondly,  of 
arousing  the  Synods  and  General  Assemblies,  in  his 
annual  visits  to  their  meetings.  In  these  visits  he 
not  only  appeared  before  every  General  Assembly, 
but  before  a  large  proportion  of  the  Synods,  taking 
them  in  rotation.  He  made  himself  familiar  with  the 
wants  of  the  Great  West,  visiting  large  portions  of 
it,  extending  one  of  his  trips  even  to  Texas.    It  was 


jjo  Memorial. 


his  policy  to  see  personally,  as  far  as  possible,  every 
missionary  on  the  great  lines  of  travel,  by  notifying 
them  to  meet  him  at  some  point  on  the  road  nearest 
to  their  field  of  labor.  In  this  way  he  and  the  oth- 
er Secretary,  in  course  of  time,  were  better  prepared 
for  the  conduct  of  their  work. 

But  the  result  shows  that  he  tested  his  powers, 
both  physical  and  mental,  beyond  their  power  of 
endurance.  That  finely-woven  nervous  organiza- 
tion could  not  long  endure  the  strain  that  was 
brought  to  bear  upon  it  in  the  service  of  the 
Board.  That  large  brain,  so  thoroughly  flooded 
with  blood,  in  times  of  public  speech,  must  give  way 
under  this  almost  constant  excitement.  That  strong 
physical  frame  could  not  endure  all  the  burdens 
laid  upon  it  by  the  willing  mind  and  the  energetic 
purpose.  It  had  become  evident  to  his  friends,  long 
perhaps  before  the  suspicion  had  crossed  his  own 
mind,  that  the  eloquent  preacher,  the  faithful  pas- 
tor, and  the  brilliant  Secretary,  was  taxing  himself 
beyond  his  powers,  and  was  wearing  out.  The  bright 
Damascus  blade  was  slowly  wearing  away  the  more 
fragile  scabbard,  and  there  must  be  relief  or  the 
work  must  fail. 

It  was  at  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  1880  that  the  church  at  large  became  aware  of 
his  failing  health,  and  of  the  probabilities  that  his 
valuable  services  would  be  lost  to  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions.  By  the  unanimous  vote  of  that 
General  Assembly  he  was  relieved  for  one  year  of 
all  labor  and  care  in  connection  with  the  Board,  in 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Penn.  jji 

the  hope  that  rest  and  change  of  scene  would  re- 
store him  to  his  wonted  health  and  vigor. 

But  the  result  has  shown  that  his  days  of  labor 
and  thought  and  active  energy  were  over.  The  en- 
suing sixteen  months  were  spent  chiefly  amid  the 
scenes  of  his  last  pastoral  labor,  in  the  beautiful  city 
of  Baltimore,  where  he  closed  his  eyes  in  peace,  in 
the  early  morning  of  the  Lord's  Day,  September  ii, 
1 88 1.  Early  on  that  Sabbath  morning,  ere  the  bells 
had  commenced  ringing  to  summon  the  people  to 
the  service  of  the  Sanctuary  on  earth,  the  bells  of 
heaven  rang  out  a  glad  peal  of  welcome  to  the  ser- 
vant of  God  as  he  entered  into  rest  and  received  his 
crown. 

There  was  no  note  of  triumph  sounded  at  the 
close.  There  were  no  last  words  of  testimony  whis- 
pered as  the  change  came.  There  was  no  need  of 
these  to  this  life-long  servant  of  the  Lord.  But 
there  was  that  peace  God  gives  to  his  children. 
There  was  comfort  drawn  from  the  living  word,  ere 
disease  had  sapped  the  foundations  of  life,  and 
weakness  had  prostrated  the  powers  so  noble  when 
in  health.  There  is  the  life  to  testify.  There  are 
the  long  years  of  faithful,  loving  service  rendered 
to  God  and  His  Church  ;  and  the  testimony  of  the 
thought,  and  the  words  and  the  works  for  nearly 
half  a  century  to  show  us  that  for  him  it  was  a  most 
blessed  thing  to  die.  We  do  not  know  what  Paul's 
last  words  were,  nor  what  John,  the  beloved,  felt  in 
the  immediate  prospect  of  the  change  ;  we  do  not 
know  what  Peter's  testin"uony  was  as  he  hung  upon 


JJ2  Memorial. 


the  cross  ;  but  we  do  know  how  they  all  lived,  and 
so  believe  that  they  all  died  in  faith,  on.  the  testi- 
mony of  their  godly  lives. 

His  mortal  remains  were  laid  to  rest  on  Wednes- 
day, the  14th,  in  the  Cemetery  of  Baltimore,  near 
those  of  an  infant  daughter,  who  had  fallen  asleep 
during  the  period  of  his  pastorate  there. 

In  the  early  months  of  1840,  Dr.  Dickson  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Delia  E.  Mc  Connell, 
of  Girard,  Pennsylvania,  who  survives  him.  In  her 
he  always  found  a  most  congenial  companion  :  a  wife 
eminently  adapted  to  his  peculiar  temperament,  and 
specially  fitted  to  help  him  in  his  varied  work.  He 
relied  on  her  judgment;  his  restless,  nervous  tem- 
perament was  balanced  by  her  cooler,  quicker  per- 
ceptions ;  her  hopeful,  cheerful  disposition  shed 
light  upon  his  way,  when  else  it  would  have  seemed 
very  dark,  so  that  his  heart  could  always  safely 
trust  in  her. 

Besides  the  little  infant  that  sleeps  beneath  the 
flowers  in  Baltimore,  three  daughters  survive  their 
father — Miss  Margaret  C,  Mrs.  P^va  R.  Smith,  of 
Illinois,  and  Mrs.  Fannie  D.  Leavens,  of  Connecti- 
cut. The  aged  mother  of  Mrs.  Dickson,  now  ad- 
vanced beyond  the  years  of  four  score,  has  for  more 
than  forty  years  been  an  inmate  of  the  household. 

The  circle  is  broken  now.  A  strong  link  in  the 
chain  has  been  sundered.  A  sky  that  was  bright 
with  sunshine  and  with  stars  has  darkened,  and  the 
clouds  that  have  gathered  will  seem  very  heavy. 
There  will  be  quietness  in  the  home  where  cheer- 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Pe?tn.  jjj 

fulness  and  peace  and  most  blessed  tranquility  once 
prevailed.  There  will  be  the  changes  common  to 
this  world  ;  there  will  be  the  meeting  and  the  part- 
ing;  the  sorrowing  and  the  rejoicing;  and  then 
there  will  be  the  glad  reunion  in  the  Father's  House, 
and  the  joyous  Home-keeping  forever! 

In  person  Dr.  Dickson  was  rather  below  the  me- 
dium stature,  with  massive  chest  and  large  neck, 
clear,  blue  eye,  over  which  his  brow  projected  grand- 
ly as  the  mountain  cliff  ;  thin,  sandy  hair,  becoming 
somewhat  gray  in  later  years,  and  with  a  voice  rich 
and  sweet  and  melodious  as  the  evening  voice  of 
bells.  He  had  great  fluency  of  speech,  and  like 
Chrysostom  of  old,  might  well  have  been  styled 
''the  golden-mouthed."  He  had  wonderful  com- 
mand of  an  audience.  There  was  a  magnetism  in 
the  man  that  drew  all  hearts  to  him,  and  enchained 
the  attention  until  the  last  word  was  uttered.  It 
mattered  not  whether  he  was  preaching  the  Gospel 
in  some  quiet  country  church,  or  speaking  on  the 
subject  of  his  Missionary  work  before  the  august 
General  Assembly,  he  threw  heart  and  soul  into  the 
work,  thrilling  his  own  heart  and  the  hearts  of  his 
audience  with  the  theme ;  deluging  his  brain  with 
his  heart's  blood,  and  working  up  his  fine  nervous 
organism  to  the  most  intense  pitch,  and  then  going 
home  to  exhaustion  and  helplessness  and  despond- 
ency. 

Dr.  Dickson  did  not  often  seek  relief  from  labor. 
An  occasional- trip  to  the  West  to  visit  his  aged 
father  gave  him  recreation,  and  increased  his  ac- 


JJ4  Me77iorial. 

quaintance  with  that  portion  of  the  church,  its 
wants  and  its  resources,  that  assisted  him  greatly  in 
the  work  of  his  later  years.  During  his  pastorate 
in  Baltimore,  in  the  year  1856,  he  made  a  tour  to  the 
Orient,  extending  his  visit  to  Egypt,  but  failing  to 
reach  the  Holy  Land  on  account  of  political  troub- 
les that  had  broken  out  in  that  portion  of  Syria. 
Again,  in  1877,  he  crossed  the  ocean  as  a  delegate 
to  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Council  in  Edinburgh, 
Scotland,  on  which  occasion  he  extended  his  visit 
through  the  United  Kingdom  and  a  portion  of  the 
Continent. 

His  official  position  as  Permanent  Clerk  of  the 
General  Assembly,  since  the  Re-union,'brought  him 
to  all  the  meetings  of  that  body,  and  enlarged  the 
circle  of  his  acquaintance  by  bringing  him  in  con- 
tact with  ministers  and  elders  from  all  sections  of 
the  church,  and  thereby  greatly  enlarging  his  sphere 
of  usefulness. 

As  a  social  man  he  possessed  very  many  fine 
qualities.  There  was  a  genial  freshness  in  his  nature 
that  was  most  attractive.  He  surpassed  in  conver- 
sational powers,  and  was  the  chief  attraction  in  so- 
cial circles  where  he  was  present.  He  knew  how 
to  unbend  without  descending  to  levity  ;  and  there 
was  an  Attic  wit  about  him  that  relieved  him  from 
all  suspicion  of  dulness.  In  the  home,  and  in  the 
social  circle  elsewhere,  he  was  a  power  in  inducing 
cheerfulness  and  enjoyment.  His  range  of  reading 
and  of  thought  was  large  and  his  resources  almost 
inexhaustible.   He  seemed  acquainted  with  the  past 


MefHorial  Services  at  Fra^iklin,  Penn.  jj§ 


and  its  changes  ;  with  the  present  and  its  improve- 
ments ;  and  was  well  informed  on  all  subjects,  his- 
torical, scientific  and  theological,  so  that  his  conver- 
sation was  at  once  interesting  and  instructive. 

As  a  Christian,  Dr.  Dickson  was  a  growing  man. 
With  a  loving  faith  in  Jesus  from  the  first  of  his 
Christian  life,  there  was  in  the  latter  half  of  his  life 
a  steady,  sensible  growth  in  grace  that  made  the 
hearts  of  his  friends  glad.  There  was  not  the  less 
cheerfulness  nor  mirth  even,  but  there  was  the 
growing  consciousness  in  the  minds  of  his  friends 
that  he  was  getting  nearer  to  God,  and  that  Christ 
was  increasingly  precious  to  his  soul.  His  whole 
life  seemed  to  embody  the  words  of  St.  Paul :  ''This 
one  thing  I  do."  And  this  Christian  growth  con- 
tinued throughout  his  entire  professional  life.  It 
was  seen  in  the  drift  of  his  thoughts  ;  in  the  spir- 
itual character  of  his  conversation,  and  in  his  untir- 
ing zeal  in  the  Lord's  work. 

But  he  is  perfect  now.  The  dross  has  all  been 
removed.  The  wood,  hay  and  stubble  have  all  been 
consumed,  and  the  fine  gold  remains  in  its  purity 
and  beauty.  He  stands  beside  the  throne.  He  is 
like  Jesus.     He  sees  Him  as  He  is. 

As  a  preacher  he  had  rare  power.  He  did  not 
write  his  sermons.  They  were  prepared  carefully 
in  his  study  from  very  meagre  written  briefs  or 
skeletons.  His  clear,  comprehensive  mind  seemed 
to  grasp  the  subject  almost  intuitively,  and  mold  it 
into  shape  as  by  some  unwonted  power,  adorning -it 
with  classical  allusions,  and  fashioning  it  into  chaste 


33^  Memorial. 

and  beautiful  forms.  His  usual  style  of  preaching 
was  the  textual,  analyzing  the  text,  and  word  by 
word  elucidating  its  meaning,  bringing  out  its  force, 
showing  its  connections,  and  making  everything 
about  it  as  clear  as  the  light  of  noonday. 

His  illustrations  were  very  happy.  They  were 
drawn  from  the  ancient  Classics  ;  from  Mythology  ; 
from  the  Poets  ;  and  from  his  own  inexhaustible 
knowledge  of  human  nature. 

His  sermons  were  Scriptural.  With  all  the  flow- 
ers of  modern  Poesy,  and  all  the  gorgeous  drapery 
of  classic  story  and  poetic  legend,  every  sermon 
was  yet  radiant  with  the  bright  tints  of  the  Rose  of 
Sharon,  and  fragrant  with  the  aroma  of  the  Lily  of 
the  Valley.  There  was  beauty  and  grace,  and  at 
the  same  time  the  rich  marrow  of  the  Gospel. 
There  was  the  truth  and  the  life,  and  always  a 
pointing  of  the  earnest  soul  to  the  Lamb  of  God 
who  takes  away  the  sins  of  the  world. 

He  preached,  always,  in  every  place,  Christ  the 
Saviour  of  sinners,  the  Helper  of  the  helpless,  the 
Joy  of  the  sorrowing,  the  only  Redeemer  from  sin 
and  from  death.  Whilst  he  preached  the  terrors  of 
the  Law  in  fair  proportion,  he  yet  delighted  in  set- 
ting forth  the  love  of  Jesus.  The  Healing  Balm 
and  the  living  waters  were  to  him  always  at  hand,  a 
joy  and  a  delight ;  and  these  were  placed  before  the 
suffering  and  the  sorrowing,  with  a  tenderness  and 
an  unction  that  showed  how  familar  he  was  himself 
with  the  Cross  and  the  mercy  seat.  The  applica- 
tions of  his  sermons  were  always  personal  to  the 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Pejin.  jjy 

hearer,  tender  and  affectionate,  and  calculated  to 
seal  the  truth  on  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  the 
audience. 

As  a  pastor  he  had  rich  and  valuable  gifts.  He 
was  able  to  get  very  near  to  the  hearts  of  his  peo- 
ple. In  times  of  conviction  and  sorrow  and  des- 
pondency, he  could,  by  his  tenderness  and  sympathy 
and  acquaintance  with  the  human  heart,  find  his  way 
to  the  very  holy  of  holies  of  the  soul's  sanctuary. 
He  knew  when  and  where  to  speak  words  of  warn- 
ing and  reproof,  as  well  as  of  caution  and  alarm  ;  and 
when  to  speak  of  comfort,  consolation  and  hope.  The 
living  truth  of  God  was  what  he  relied  on  to  lead 
the  soul  to  the  truth,  and  this  he  applied  most  skill- 
fully. 

In  trouble  and  sickness  and  bereavement  he  was 
specially  thoughtful,  attentive  and  tender  toward 
his  people.  His  words  of  consolation  and  comfort 
brought  healing  and  peace.  He  readily  became 
acquainted  with  all  his  congregation.  He  sought 
them  out,  and  became  familiar  with  their  wants.  He 
had  a  word  for  each  one  and  a  token  of  recognition 
for  all  ages.  By  his  pastoral  gifts  and  their  exer- 
cise he  attracted  his  people  to  himself  and  to  their 
church,  and  in  this  way  increased  greatly  his  influ- 
ence over  them  ;  and  that  influence  was  always  ex- 
erted to  the  utmost  for  their  welfare. 

As  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions,  Dr.  Dickson  was  brought  prominently  be- 
fore the  whole  church.  This  was  perhaps  his  great 
work.     In   this   position  his  great  executive  power 


jjS  Memorial. 


and  his  matchless  eloquence  were  prime  features  of 
his  character.  The  entire  church  was  charmed  by 
his  thrilling  addresses  before  the  General  Assembly. 
The  members  of  the  Assembly  were  stirred  to  the 
deep  places  of  their  souls  as  he  pointed  out  the 
greatness  of  the  country's  possibilities,  its  immense 
resources,  and  the  absolute  necessity  that  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Gospel  should  be  kept  abreast  with  the 
growing  population  that  was  filling  up  the  Missis- 
sippi valley,  surging  over  the  Rocky  mountains,  and 
sweeping  toward  the  mighty  Pacific.  All  this,  inter- 
spersed with  illustrations  and  anecdotes,  made  a 
very  deep  impression  on  the  audience. 

On  the  occasion  of  his  last  visit  to  Great  Britain, 
whilst  in  attendance  at  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Coun- 
cil, at  Edinburgh,  he  delivered  one  of  his  character- 
istic Home  Mission  Addresses.  The  ears  of  the 
people  were  opened  and  their  hearts  enlarged  by  the 
stirring  addresses  that  had  gone  before,  and  he 
spoke  in  his  best  vein.  As  he  enlarged  in  his  won- 
derful description  of  this  country ;  its  boundless 
territory ;  its  inexhaustible  treasures  ;  its  rapid  in- 
crease of  population,  and  the  vast  sweep  of  its  influ- 
ence on  the  age  and  on  the  world,  and  the  conse- 
quent necessity  of  taking  possession  of  it  for  God 
and  His  Christ,  the  impression  made  on  the  audi- 
ence was  tremendous.  One  of  the  foremost  of 
Scotland's  thinkers  made  the  remark  afterward  that 
he  doubted  whether  there  was  a  man  in  the  United 
Kingdom  who  could  have  made  such  an  impression 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Pemi.  jjg 

on  that  cultured  audience  as  was  made  by  the  elo- 
quent American. 

This  congregation  will  remember  the  last  time 
he  was  amongst  us,  and  how  eloquently  he  discours- 
ed on  his  favorite  theme.  It  was  in  September, 
1875.  His  thrilling  address  reached  down  into  your 
hearts,  your  sympathies,  and  your  pockets,  as  they 
have  never  been  reached  before  nor  since.  And 
this  was  but  a  sample  of  the  effect  produced  when 
he  poured  out  his  whole  soul  in  pleading  the  Lord's 
cause  in  behalf  of  Home  Missions. 

His  feeling  of  attachment  and  love  for  this,  his 
first  charge,  was  very  strong ;  and,  conversely,  the 
love  of  this  congregation  for  him  was  stronger  than 
for  any  other  man  who  ever  brought  his  influence 
to  bear  upon  it.  I  know  well  the  feeling  of  grief 
and  sadness  that  pervaded  your  hearts  when  the 
news  came  that  he  was  dead.  We  can  hardly  yet 
realize  it,  for  he  seemed  so  well  when  he  was  last 
amongst  us,  and  appeared  still  in  the  prime  of  his 
grand  manhood. 

But  he  has  gone  from  amongst  us.  He  has  pass- 
ed in  to  look  upon  the  unseen  of  the  earth.  And 
whilst  we  are  sad  that  we  shall  see  his  face  no  more 
upon  earth,  that  we  shall  no  more  feel  the  warm 
grasp  of  his  hand,  and  no  more  look  into  those  kind- 
hng  eyes,  there  is  yet  a  chastened  gladness  in  the 
thought  that  he  has  found  rest.  That  lithe,  active 
form,  so  often  weary  with  the  toils  of  his  daily  labor, 
now  rests  in  the  embrace  of  the  quiet  earth.  That 
great,  restless  brain,  so  full  of  great  thoughts  and 


34^  Memorial. 

sympathies  and  plans  for  the  good  of  the  church, 
yet  withal  so  weary,  no  longer  throbs  with  pain  nor 
is  oppressed  with  weariness,  as  it  was  in  the  work 
here.  Invisible  burdens  no  longer  rest  upon  his 
shoulders.  The  great  wrestling  with  the  intricate 
problems  of  daily  life  and  duty  no  longer  oppresses 
him.  He  has  found  relief  from  all  his  burdens,  and 
peace  and  triumph  after  all  his  conflicts.  After  the 
storm  and  the  clouds  how  sweet  must  be  the  eter- 
nal sunshine  ! 

Yea,  verily,  we  seem  to  hear  a  great  voice  coming 
to  us,  above  the  cries  and  the  heart  sobs  of  time ; 
above  the  echo  of  falling  sands  on  the  narrow  sepul- 
cher  ;  above  the  words  of  farewell  and  parting  upon 
earth.  It  is  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  full  of  all  glad- 
ness and  melody  :  ''Well  done  good  and  faithful 
servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord  !"  And 
there  are  other  voices  that  come  to  us,  broken,  yet 
sweet ;  far  off,  yet  thrilling  with  unutterable  melo- 
dy : — "These  are  they  who  have  come  up  out  of 
great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  !" 

And  of  the  society  of  the  ransomed,  the  Apostle 
has  spoken  these  words  :  "Ye  are  come  to  Mount 
Zion,  to  the  City  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly 
Jerusalem,  and  to  an  innumerable  company  of  an- 
gels, and  to  the  General  Assembly  and  Church  of 
the  first-born,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and  to 
God,  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new 
covenant." 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Penn.  j^i 

Here  then,  is  the  grand  society  into  which  this 
faithful  pastor,  this  earnest  laborer  in  God's  great 
field  has  entered,  as  he  closed  his  eyes  upon  all 
earthly  toil.  In  the  light  of  God's  word  and  of  a 
tender  faith  in  the  unseen,  we  can  imagine  the  as- 
cended soul  under  convoy  of  the  angels,  just  landed 
on  the  threshold  of  the  gate  of  pearl,  with  the  shim- 
mer of  golden  streets  and  the  magnificence  of  jew- 
eled walls  bursting  upon  his  view,  and  the  joyous 
melody  of  the  songs  of  white-robed  worshippers  fall- 
ing upon  his  ears,  seeking  first  of  all  Jesus,  the 
Saviour  and  Redeemer.  And  finding  Him  and  rend- 
ering to  Him  the  homage  of  a  loving,  redeemed  spir- 
it, we  may  suppose  him  going  forth  to  seek  and 
converse,  not  alone  with  Abraham,  but  with  Adam 
and  Enoch,  and  Noah,  and  other  of  the  first-born 
prophets  of  the  Lord  before  the  flood,  and  with  all 
that  came  after ;  the  Martyrs  and  witnesses  of 
Jesus,  who  wear  crowns  on  their  brows,  and  bear 
palms  in  their  hands. 

And  this  society,  the  very  elite  of  all  the  uni- 
verse, what  does  it  all  mean  "^  It  implies  knowledge 
of  the  Highest,  of  His  grand  nature,  and  of  the  mag- 
nificence of  His  kingdom,  and  the  glory  of  His 
dominion,  and  the  eternal  resources  of  His  home  ! 

What  if  from  Adam  he  hears  anew  the  story  of 
Creation  as  he  heard  it  from  the  lips  of  God  !  What 
if  with  Noah  he  hears  of  the  terrors  of  the  flood,  and 
of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  his  preservation ! 
What  if  with  Moses  he  hears  recounted  anew  the 
wonderful  chapters  of  Genesis,  that  tell  of  the  origin 


S42  Memorial. 


of  the  earth  and  all  human  affairs  !  What  if  with 
Isaiah  he  looks  down  the  centuries  of  time  to  see  all 
the  light  of  all  the  ages  gathering  around  the  Cross  of 
Calvary  !  What  if  with  Paul  he  hears  once  more  the 
story  of  his  conversion  at  Damascus,  his  visions  and 
revelations  from  the  Lord,  and  his  triumphant  death 
at  Rome  !  What  if  with  John  he  hears  the  recital 
of  those  wondrous  Patmos  visions,  when  the  rocky 
isle  was  glorified  by  the  light  that  streamed  down 
from  the  open  door  of  Heaven,  and  when,  even  upon 
earth,  the  beauty  and  glory  of  the  New  Jerusalem 
came  down  to  give  him  a  foretaste  of  its  joy  !  And 
what  if  with  others,  the  mighty  ones  of  science,  the 
illustrious  ones  in  the  great  field  of  thought,  he  ex- 
plores all  the  mysteries  of  creation  and  learns  all 
the  secrets  of  the  stars,  as  he  listens  to  their  songs 
and  bathes  in  the  amethystine  light  of  their  glory ! 

Imagination  grows  weary  in  its  flight,  and  even 
faith  is  almost  dazzled  at  the  prospect,  yet  no  height 
is  too  exalted ;  no  glory  too  radiant ;  no  song  too  tri- 
umphant, for  those  who  have  been  redeemed  by  the 
death  of  the  Son  of  God.  No  place  will  be  too  high 
beneath  the  very  summit  of  the  throne  of  God,  for 
immortal  souls  washed  and  made  white  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb,  redeemed  from  sin,  and  purchased  by 
infinite  and  eternal  love. 

Yet  the  crowning  glory  and  joy ;  the  perfection 
of  all  life  will  be  the  living,  glowing,  joyous  presence 
and  love  of  Jesus,  throughout  all  the  ages,  the  Lord 
Teacher,  Friend,  Beloved  of  the  soul. 


Memorial  Services  at  Franklin,  Penn.  j^j 

Oh,  say  not  then  in  your  grief  and  sadness  this 
day  :  **  How  is  the  strong  staff  broken,  and  the 
beautiful  rod!"  for  the  staff  has  become  a  pillar  in 
the  Temple  of  God ;  the  beautiful  rod  has  become 
still  more  beautiful,  blooming  forever  in  the  Eden 
of  the   Lord. 

Farewell  then,  friend  of  our  early  years  ;  once 
pastor  of  this  little  flock  ;  valiant  soldier  of  the  cross  ; 
eloquent  preacher  of  Christ ;  earnest  lover  of  country 
and  of  Zion  ;  farewell  for  a  little  time  ;  we  will  watch 
and  wait  until  the  day  shall  dawn  to  us  too,  and  the 
shadows  flee  away  from  our  visions  as  from  thine, 
when  we  shall  meet  again,  and  together  live  and  love 
and  sing  on  the  steeps  of  Mount  Zion,  and  be  for- 
ever with  the  Lord  ! 

The  discourse  was  delivered  to  a  crowded  house, 
whose  quietness  and  solemnity  bore  witness  to  the 
love  and  respect  that  were  felt  for  their  former  pas- 
tor and  the  kind  remembrance  of  the  worth  and 
services  of  the  departed  to  the  church  at  large. 

The  services  were  closed  by  singing  the  thirty- 
second  chant : 

"Beyond  the  smillug  and  the  weeping 

1  shall  be  soon; 
Beyond  the  waking  and  the  sleeping 
Beyond  the  sowing  and  the  reaping 

I  shall  be  soon. 
Love,  rest  and  Home  I  sweet  Home  I 

Lord  I  tarry  not,  but  come. 

Beyond  the  parting  and  the  meeting 

1  shall  be  soon  ; 
Beyond  the  farewell  and  the  greetiug, 


S44  Memorial. 


Beyond  the  pulse's  fever  beating-, 

I  shall  be  soon  ; 
Love,  rest  and  Home !  sweet  Home ! 

Lord  !  tarry  not,  but  come. 

Beyond  the  frost  chain  and  the  fever 

I  shall  be  soon  ; 
Beyond  the  rock-waste  and  the  river, 
Beyond  the  ever  and  the  never, 

I  shall  be  soon. 
Love,  rest  and  Home !  sweet  Home ! 

Lord  !  tarry  not,  but  come !" 

This  was  followed  by  the  benediction  and  the 
departure,  and  the  sweet  memories  of  the  early  pas- 
tor and  his  great  work  for  the  church. 


IV. 
•WORDS   OF  SYMPATHY. 


^^Fast  as  tJie  rolling  seasons  bring 

The  hour  of  fate  to  those  zve  love, 
Each  pearl  that  leaves  the  broken  string, 

Is  set  in  friendsJiip' s  crown  above. 
As  narrower  grozus  the  earthly  cJiain, 

The  circle  widens  in  the  sky ; 
These  are  onr  treasures  that  remain. 

But  those  are  stars  that  beam  on  high.'' 

Holmes. 

^^Eear  ye  one  another  s  burdens  and  so  fulfil  the 

law  of  ChiistJ* 

Gal.  vl  2 


IV.     WORDS  OF  SYMPATHY. 


The  following  extracts  from  letters  received 
by  Dr.  Dickson's  family,  breathe  alike  the  spirit  of 
sympathy  and  of  strong  faith.  They  are  the  spontane- 
ous outburst  of  hearts  sorely  smitten  by  a  common 
affliction,  and  going  forth  in  sympathy  to  a  bereav- 
ed household.  They  come  from  all  portions  of  the 
American  church  and  from  across  the  great  ocean, 
bearing  witness  to  the  deep  hold  the  departed  min- 
ister had  upon  the  entire  church  and  on  friends  be- 
yond. They  were  written  at  nearly  the  same  date, 
showing  that  the  electric  current  of  friendship  touch- 
ed at  once  the  hearts  of  a  multitude  of  friends, 
and  inspired  them  to  speak  words  of  sympathy  and 
comfort  and  consolation. 

These  letters  are  all  pervaded  by  the  same  spirit  : 
it  is  the  feeling  of  great  loss  toward  those  that  re- 
main, but  of  hope  and  confidence  and  almost  joy 
for  the  one  who  has  departed. 

Whilst  there  is  sorrow  that  one  so  good  and  kind, 
and  unselfish,  and  so  valuable  to  home  and  friends 
and  church  has  been  taken  away ;  there  is  the  com- 
mon, uniform  feeling  that  he  has  entered  into  the 
joy  of  his  Lord,  and  is  among  the  crowned  kings 
who  minister  before  the  throne. 

They  seem,  like   the  precious  box  of  ointment 


34^  AIe?norial. 

that  was  poured  on  the  head  of  the  Lord,  to  breathe 
a  most  fragrant  perfume,  and  are  fittingly  placed 
with  other  tributes  to  the  memory  of  the  departed. 

Sept.  1 88 1. 
*lf  you  could  only  be  helped  by  the  sympathy 
that  rolls  up  for  you  from  a  hundred  loving  hearts 
that  feel  they  have  some  share  in  your  irreparable 
loss  !  For  I  think,  all  who  knew  and  loved  the 
great  soul  that  has  gone,  feel  they  will  not  look  up- 
on his  like  again,  but  I  pray  that  his  influence  may 
always  be  active  in  our  lives.  For  myself  I  think 
the  memory  of  his  noble  character,  made  so  through 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  always  be  some- 
thing firm  and  convincing  to  hold  to,  in  the  surging 
sea  of  doubt  and  scepticism  and  speculation  which 
threatens  to  engulf  us." 

Sept.  12,  i88i. 
*'I  feel  that  the  death  of  Dr.  Dickson  is  a  person- 
al affliction  to  me.  There  is  not  a  brother  in  the 
ministry  that  I  loved  more  dearly  than  your  sainted 
husband.  I  went  to  him  unhesitatingly  with  all  my 
cares  and  troubles.  I  told  him  many  things  that  I 
never  told  to  another.  He  is  gone.  I  can  hardly 
realize  the*  thought  that  I  shall  see  his  face  no  more. 
But  I  expect  to  have  very  delightful  converse  with 
loved  ones  in  heaven." 

Sept.  12,  i88i. 
"Your  father,  as  you  are  well  aware,  was  every- 
thing to  me  that  a  person  of  his  position  and  influ- 
ence could  be  to  another  who  needed  and  appreciat- 


Words  of  Sympathy.  J4g 

ed  his  services.  To  realize  that  He  has  passed  away, 
that  I  am  no  longer  to  meet  and  converse  with  him, 
that  in  no  trial  God  may  have  appointed  me  I  am 
to  have  his  good  and  invaluable  counsel  and  prayers, 
is  a  task  that  I  can  but  slowly  perform,  although 
the  undoubted  words  have  been  given  me." 

Sept.  13,  1 88 1. 
*T  wish  I  could  go  to  you,  much  as  I  should  miss 
the  warm  welcome  and  pleasant  smile  of  him,  whom 
I  am  very  grateful  to  be  permitted  to  call  friend  in 
the  real  sense  of  the  term  ;  and  what  a  sincere  friend 
he  was  !  What  a  blessing  he  has  been  to  the  world ; 
what  a  grand  work  he  has  done  ;  and  now  the  Master 
has  called  him  up  higher  to  be  with  Him.  What  a 
blessed  meeting  of  dear  old  friends  and  what  rest  /" 

Sept.  13,  1881. 
"We  feel  that  we  have  indeed  lost  a  friend  in  him 
whom  we  have  long  loved.  Ever  since  those  days 
when,  as  Aunt  L 's  Pastor  in  Baltimore,  we  learn- 
ed to  love  and  appreciate  him.  He  was  such  a  wel- 
come guest  here  and  we  had  so  hoped  for  another 
visit  from  him.  We  will  never  forget  his  earnest 
prayer  for  the  stranger,  in  which  we  felt  included 
when  we  first  visited  Baltimore." 

Sept.  13,  1881. 
*'I  have  a  part  in  your  great  sorrow.  He  who 
was  your  husband  was  my  intimate  and  very  dear 
friend,  probably  more  intimate  and  more  dear  than 
any  with  whom  it  has  been  my  happiness  to  walk  in 
close  and  confiding  companionship. 


j^o  Memorial. 


He  has  ceased  from  his  labors  and  entered  upon 
his  rest.  On  earth  it  will  be  published  far  and  wide 
'Dr.  Dickson  is  dead.'  Many  who  knew  him  per- 
sonally and  many  who  knew  him  only  by  report,  will 
say  one  to  another,  'Dr.  Dickson  is  dead  !'  In  heav- 
en the  glad  word  is,  'Cyrus  Dickson  has  entered  in- 
to life." 

There  is  sorrow  in  the  church  on  earth — there  is 
joy  in  the  church  in  heaven.  He  is  one  of  the  ever- 
increasing  cloud  of  witnesses  to  the  all-overcoming 
power  of  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  "  If  ye  loved  me 
ye  would  rejoice  because  I  said  I  go  unto  my 
Father,  for  my  Father  is  greater  than  I." 

He  has  fought  the  good  fight,  he  has  finished  his 
course,  he  has  kept  the  faith,  and  now  he  wears  the 
crown  of  righteousness,  given  him  by  the  Lord,  the 
righteous  Judge.  He  was  not  cut  down  premature- 
ly, judged  by  the  grand  work  he  accomplished. 
Worn  out  in  that  work — a  work  to  him  of  love — the 
voice  came  down  to  him,  '  Come  up  hither '  and  so 
he  gladly  went  and  entered  into  the  joy  of  his 
Lord." 

Sept.  13,  1881. 

"This  life  is  not  all.  Dr.  Dickson  had  been  a 
faithful  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  He  had 
worked  on  in  weariness,  and  faintness,  and  exhaus- 
tion, and  the  Lord  accepted  his  work.  But  He  has 
still  other  work  for  him.  The  kingdom  is  not  all  in 
this  world.  The  same  service  is  not  all  here.  The 
kingdom  in  its  glory  is  on  high.  There  is  work 
there  as  well  as  honor   and  glory.     To  that  higher 


Words  of  Sympathy,  j§i 

work  he  has  been  called.  And  he  now  works  for 
the  same  Master  for  whom  he  worked  upon  the 
earth.  But  he  works  now  without  toil,  or  weari- 
ness, or  tears.  He  works  now  not  under  the  noon- 
tide sun,  but  in  the  sweet,  blessed  light  of  the  Lord 
God  and  the  Lamb." 

Sept.  14,  1881. 

*•  It  was  with  great  sorrow  that  I  heard  of  your 
bereavement — yes,  and  mine,  for  he  was  very  dear 
to  me.  He  was  the  first  one  that  led  me  to  the  Sa- 
viour, and  the  first  that  gave  me  an  incentive  to 
study — but  he  has  gone  home  a  little  before  us  and 
is  at  rest — blessed  rest  to  the  weary,  tired  one,  and 
his  works  do  follow  him." 

Sept.  14,  188 1. 

"What  a  life  of  unbroken  service,  of  constant  de- 
votion, of  unshaken  faith,  was  your  father's  !  What 
stars  and  jewels  sparkled  and  shone  in  that  crown 
he  has  already  cast  at  his  Saviour's  feet !  How 
sweet  his  rest !  how  unspeakable  his  joy,  how  glo- 
rious his  reward  ! 

But  how  large  a  place  he  has  left  empty  in  your 
hearts  and  in  the  church — who  can  fill  it }  I  re- 
member that  Christ  has  promised  to  abide  with  His 
people,  and  to  dwell  in  the  church.  I  know  that 
what  He  does  is  wisest  and  best,  and  yet  I  find  my- 
self casting  about,  and  asking  who  of  men  can  take 
your  father's  place  .'* 

Who  can  take  up  the  work  where  he  has  left  it  .-* 
I  know  no  one  whose  Christian  character  seems  so 
well  rounded  and  complete  as  his." 


35^  Meynorial. 


Sept.  14,  1881. 

"  Your  sorrow  is  my  sorrow.  He  was  so  lovely, 
so  good,  everything  that  could  be  desired — to  me  it 
seemed  that  he  could  not  be  spared,  his  usefulness 
was  so  great.  But  our  Heavenly  Father  knew  best. 
*  His  ways  are  not  our  ways.'  Your  father's  pray- 
ers at  family  worship  I  shall  never  forget.  They 
were  always  good  and  comforting.  Even  this  sum- 
mer he  prayed  so  lovingly  for  me." 

Sept.  14,  1 88 1. 

"  His  life  has  been  a  full  one.  He  has  most  fully 
realized  the  adage  that  *  It  is  better  to  wear  out 
than  to  rust  out.'  I  know  of  no  man  who  was  more 
thoroughly  consecrated  to  the  Master's  service. 
And  how  he  will  be  missed !  You,  dear  madam,  and 
your  daughters  are  far  from  being  the  only  ones  to 
mourn  his  transfer  from  this  to  the  broader  field  of 
usefulness  and  glory.  And  are  we  sure  that  the 
broader  field  must  exclude  this  lesser  one  entirely .'' 
<  Are  they  not  all  ministering  spirits  sent  forth  to 
minister  to  them  that  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation  t ' 
Who  }  If  angels,  why  not  men  1  Men  redeemed 
by  grace.  But  for  him  this  service  will  be  lacking 
in  every  particular  which  tended,  '  whilst  in  the  body 
pent '  to  make  it  irksome  or  disheartening. 

Thousands  of  homes  throughout  our  boundless 
West  will  long  continue  to  lament  one  whose  cease- 
less energy  and  unflagging  faith  sent  so  many  bless- 
ings to  them." 


Words  of  Sympathy.  JJJ 

Sept.  14,  1 88 1. 

"  My  heart  is  stirred  with  sympathy  for  you  and 
your  daughters  in  this  your  hour  of  deep  affliction. 
I  can  never  forget  the  many  happy  hours  I  have 
spent  in  your  family,  nor  the  many  reasons  I  have 
for  gratitude  to  your  dear  husband  for  encourage- 
ment and  helps  in  my  preparation  for  the  ministry. 
I  would  crave  it  as  a  privilege  to  be  considered  by 
you  in  the  number  of  those  who  admired  and  loved 
him  while  living  and  who  now  sincerely  mourn  his 
death. 

God  in  his  inscrutable  wisdom  has  permitted  one 
of  the  pillars  of  His  earthly  temple  to  fall,  and  the 
shock  is  felt  throughout  our  Presbyterian  Zion.  I 
don't  believe  there  is  a  minister  in  our  church 
whose  removal  would  touch  more  hearts  or  affect 
more  importantly  the  general  interests  of  religion. 

It  must  always  be  an  unspeakable  satisfaction  to 
you  that  he  was  permitted  to  accomplish  so  grand  a 
work  for  the  cause  of  Christ.  And  now  his  works 
do  follow  him.  The  toil  and  anxiety  which  wore 
him  out  are  ended.  The  ardent  affections  which 
made  him  so  attractive  in  life,  now  find  scope  and 
exercise  in  the  society  of  the  redeemed.  With 
pious  kindred  who  went  before  him,  and  many  of 
his  early  friends  and  a  great  company  of  those  who 
were  turned  to  God  through  his  ministry,  he  be- 
holds the  glory  and  sings  the  praises  of  that  Saviour 
whom  he  preached  so  faithfully." 


jj-/  Memorial. 


Sept.  14,  1881. 
''It  is  now  just  the  hour  when  the  congregation 
is  assembled  in  dear  Westminster,  whence  the  form 
of  him  who  for  so  many  years  was   its   Hght  and 
charm  was  to  be  borne  away  to  return  no  more. 

The  tone  of  tenderness,  the  voice  of  ringing 
earnestness,  the  tongue  of  silvery  eloquence  is  si- 
lent, but  the  memory  will  linger  in  those  walls  for- 
ever. 

What  a  grand  life  it  was,  so  helpful,  so  earnest, 
so  gifted,  always  dispensing  brightness  and  impart- 
ing strength." 

Sept.  15,  1881. 

'*  We  find  it  very  hard  to  realize  that  we  have  seen 
your  dear  father's  genial  and  kindly  face  for  the  last 
time  on  earth.  He  was  just  such  a  man  as  to  kin- 
dle in  the  hearts  of  others  a  warm  personal  attach- 
ment, and  I  suppose  there  is  no  man  in  the  whole 
church  who  has  so  many  warm  friends,  and  many 
will  be  the  pang  of  sorrow  felt  in  hearts  all  over  this 
broad  land.  Your  honored  father  seemed  to  possess 
just  the  gifts  and  qualities  for  eminent  success  and 
usefulness  in  his  high  office." 

Sept.  15,  1 88 1. 
"  I  honored  and  loved  the  Doctor  so  sincerely  and 
deeply  that  I  shall  always  mourn  his  loss.  He  was 
a  true  friend  to  me,  kind  and  fatherly  in  all  his  in- 
tercourse with  me,  and  some  of  his  letters  and  mes- 
sages will  cheer  and  help  me  throughout  life. 


Words  of  Sympathy.  j§§ 

Now  his  most  useful  life  is  ended  and  he  has  gone 
to  the  land  where  none  shall  say  '  I  am  sick.' 

How  often  I  have  thought  of  the  good-bye  he 
gave  me  when  I  first  set  out  for .  He  repeat- 
ed that  beautiful  verse  in  the  last  of  Philippians, 
'  Be  careful  for  nothing  *  *  *  *  and  told  me  to 
take  it  for  a  motto. 

What  a  joy  it  would  have  been  to  have  had  Dr. 
Dickson  preach  to  this  large  congregation  from  the 
old  pulpit  in  which  Whitefield  stood !  Who  else  could 
so  stir  the  hearts  of  men,  with  enthusiasm  for  mis- 
sions ?  I  know  not  one  who  can.  But  the  Head  of 
the  Church  will  take  care  of  His  own  cause. 

I  can  not  say  what  I  feel  to-night.  To  think  at 
all  of  my  own  loss  is  selfish.  The  church,  the  na- 
tion, and  Dr.  Dickson's  family  have  lost  so  much 
that  of  them  and  not  of  my  own  grief  should  I 
think." 

Sept.  15,   1881. 

*'  Through  the  whole  of  my  married  life  is  woven 
the  golden  thread  of  friendship  with  your  dear  fam- 
ily.    I  remember  how  enthusiastically  dear  Mr. 

talked  to  me  of  Dr.  Dickson  before  I  knew  him — 

how     Mr. loved     and  valued   him  as   long  as 

he  lived — how  many,  many  times  his  kind,  cordial 
greeting  and  cheerful,  earnest  words  sent  me  on  my 
w^ay  happier  and  better  for  having  met  him  !  How 
often  I  enjoyed  his  hospitality,  and  I  can  but  feel 
that  though  ....  I  also  feel  a  sense  of  personal 
loss  :  he  was  more  to  me  than  the  rest. 


J5^  Me^norial. 


How  many  of  our  dearest  and  best  have  gone  one 

by  one  into  the  'better  land.'   A  year  ago  Prof. 

and  now  Dr.  Dickson,  and  we  have  no  such  friends 
left.  The  loss  to  the  world  and  the  church  of  men 
of  such  pre-eminent  ability,  is  very  sad,  but  now  I 
can  only  think  of  him  and  of  you,  and  of  the  loss  to 
ourselves." 

Sept.  15,  1881. 

"  Since  I  read  the  telegram  sent  to   Mr. ,  I 

have  had  you  all  constantly  in  my  mind,  and  have 
lived  over  in  memory  the  many  times  in  which  dear 
Mr.  Dickson  gave  me  proof  that  he  was  never  too 
busy  to  interest  himself  in  my  welfare.  When  I 
went  away  among  strangers  a  letter  from  him  se- 
cured me  acquaintances  which  were  of  great  service 
— then  at  different  times  there  was  the  same  active 
kindness  exerted  in  my  behalf.  Doubtless,  hun- 
dreds of  people  are  pouring  the  same  tale  into  your 
ears,  now  too  dull  with  suffering  to  heed  it,  but  chil- 
dren and  grand  children  will  hold  such  testimony 
in  precious  memory." 

Sept.  15,  1881. 
■~*'A  highly  gifted  honest  and  earnest  worker  in 
the  cause  of  Christ,  and  one  in  the  foremost  rank  of 
the  Lord's  band  is  gone,  and  will  be  missed  and 
mourned  by  all,  but  my  heart  turned  to  the  little 
band  at  home  whose  lives  were  so  woven  with  his  in 
the  woof  of  love  and  tenderness,  without  one  broken 
thread  or  a  blur  of  any  kind — in  whose  lives  came 
no  jars,  no  discords  to  bring  a  pang  to  the  hearts 


Words  of  Sympathy.  3S7 


now  of  those  he  has  left  crushed  and  broken.  The 
picture  of  your  family  life  as  I  knew  it  long  ago  was 
always  to  me  one  of  the  very  brightest  and  liveliest 
I  ever  knew,  and  I  know  what  desolation  has  come 
upon  it. 

*'  Such  a  record  of  devoted,  earnest,  self-sacrific- 
ing work  in  his  Master's  cause  !  and  when  he  had 
nothing  more  to  offer,  he  laid  down  his  own  life,  as 
the  result  of  too  intense  interest  in  the  cause  of 
man,  for  Jesus'  sake." 

Sept.  12,  1881. 
"  Hundreds  of  our  missionaries  have  expressed 
their  sorrow  that  he  has  been  laid  aside  from  the 
active  duties  of  his  noble  work.  The  Master  has 
called  him  from  his  lower  work  on  earth  to  his 
home  in  heaven." 

Sept.  22,  1881. 

''Who  can  fathom  the  depth  of  God's  love  for 
him  }  If  we  would  keep  him  with  us  here,  to  cheer 
and  help  us  bear  this  life's  burdens,  shall  we  won- 
der at  the  Father's  desire  to  have  His  oivii  with 
Him  safe  from  all  further  care  and  burden  t " 

Sept.  16,  1881. 
'*  Our  dear  Cyrus  was  my  most  faithful  friend  and 
most  trusted  adviser  in  the  world.  Next  to  my  own 
father  and  in  some  respects  taking  precedence  even 
of  him,  in  things  pertaining  to  our  profession,  he 
was  my  counselor  and  friend,  from  the  moment  our 
hands   clasped   at   the  end  of    1864,    until  the  last 


J  ^8  Memorial. 


weariness  was  ended  in  the  last  sleep.  And,  as  Dr. 
Smith  remarked,  ''  Heaven  is  the  dearer  because  he 
is  there  !" 

Sept.  1 6,  1 88 1. 
"  I  write  to  you  with  the  feeling  that  hereafter  all 
that  the  Bible  says  about  Heaven,  will  appeal  to  you 
with  the  emphasis  of  a  married  life,  than  which, 
none  I  know  of  breathed  more  of  the  holy  fragrance 
of  true  hearted  love. 

Dear  Mrs.  Dickson,  you  were  '*  lovely  and  pleas- 
ant in  your  lives  "  and  in  death  you  are  not  divided. 
For  that  Master  in  whose  service  he  spent  his  life 
has  said  '  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  Me  shall 
never  die. ' 

As  I  think  of  you  I  cannot  but  recall  Mrs.  Bar- 
bauld's  address  to  Life.  Yourself  and  husband  have 
been  long  together  through  pleasant  and  through 
cloudy  weather.  It  was  not  yours  to  say  'good 
night '  when  he  entered  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow 
of  Death.  But  it  is  yours  to  look  forward  to  the 
time  when  in  Heaven's  brighter  clime,  he  will  bid 
you  'good  morning'  :  and  so  shall  you  ever  be  with 
the  Lord.  " 

Sept.  1 6,  1 88 1. 

"  He  has  entered,  not  at  a  way-side  rest  but  the 
rest  at  the  end  of  the  journey  provided  for  such  as 
he  by  the  Master  whom  he  has  so  long  served. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  even  attempt  to  set  forth 
his  virtues.  Others,  who  have  been  allowed  more 
intimate  acquaintance,  with  him,  will  do  that  better 


Words  of  Sympathy.  JS9 


than  I  can,  but  I  may  be  allowed  to  say  that  I  shall 
miss  my  good  friend  till  my  life  ends.  His  strong, 
manly  religion  greatly  won  me  to  him.  His  cheer- 
ful, abundant  hospitality,  when  I  was  among  strang- 
ers, I  cherish  among  the  brightest  memories  of  my 
hfe. 

I  feel  grateful  to  you  dear  Madam  for  counting 
me  among  the  friends  of  him  whose  'ascended  soul 
under  the  convoy  of  Angels '  has  *  landed  on  the 
threshold  of  the  gate  of  pearl.'  There  in  the 
Father's  good  time  may  we  all  meet  him." 

Sept.  17,  1 88 1. 

"  You  are  well  aware  of  the  affectionate  regard 
we  had  for  each  other,  and  how  often  he  and  I  to- 
gether poured  out  our  hearts'  desire  to  God  for  a 
blessing  on  the  Church  so  dear  to  us  both  and  bap- 
tized by  him  with  many  tears.  Now  our  prayer  will 
be  for  grace  to  walk  in  his  footsteps  and  to  follow 
him  as  he  followed  Christ." 

Sept.  17,   1 88 1 

"There  is  wonderful  consolation  for  those  who 
are  called  to  mourn  as  you  are,  sorrowing  not  'even 
as  others  who  have  no  hope,'  but  feeling  assured  that 
the  loving  husband  and  father  is  now  gone  before 
you. 

I  need  not  try  to  say  a  word  for  your  comfort.  I 
only  wish  to  tell  you  that  we  all  most  tenderly 
sympathize  with  you  all.  The  thousands  of  Israel 
share  in  some  measure  your  grief  and  pray  for  your 
support  and  consolation." 


j6o  Memorial. 


Sept  17,  1 88 1. 

"■  You  are  not  unaware  of  the  affectionate  regard 
in  which  Brother  Dickson  and  I  have  held  each 
other.  Our  special  intimacy  dates  back  to  my  pas- 
toral settlement  in  this  place,  only  a  few  months  af- 
ter his  at  Wheeling.  I  recall  our  brotherly  fellow- 
ship as  co-presbyters,  as  well  as  our  consultations 
and  co-operation  in  the  wider  affairs  of  the  church 
since.  And  I  shall  never  forget,  the  personal,  con- 
fidential and  Christian  intercourse  we  have  had  at 
different  stages  of  our  lives.  He  was  just  three 
months  my  senior  in  age,  and  our  service  in  the 
Lord's  work  has  kept  pace  with  the  passing  years. 
I  wish  I  could  say  that  I  had  done  as  grand  and  far- 
reaching  a  work,  as  his.  Deep  is  the  mystery  of  his 
call  to  stop  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness.  But  the 
Master  has  announced  it  to  be  enough,  and  we  must 
wait  until  hereafter,  to  know  the  reason. 

He  will  still  live  in  the  heart  of  the  church  he 
served  so  long  and  well.  His  abiding  in  the  hearts 
of  his  ministerial  brethren  shall  be  perpetual.  He 
has  already  heard  from  the  Lord  Himself,  well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant.'  Farewell,  my  beloved 
brother,  and  I  hope  to  meet  thee  ere  long  in  the 
home  of  the  blessed  !" 

Sept.  17,  1 88 1. 

"All  my  recollections  of  your  dear  Father  are  sweet 
to  me.  He  came  to  our  house  when  my  first-born 
babe  was  a  helpless,  suffering  little  one,  and,  asking 
that  he  might  see  my  boy,  pleased  my  young  moth- 


Words  of  Sympathy.  j6i 

er-heart  by  his  tender,  loving,  words.     I  never  for- 
got this  visit  and  always  have  loved  to  recall  it." 

Sept.  17.  1881. 
I  have  nothing  but  pleasant  memories  of  Dr. 
Dickson  in  all  my  intercourse  with  him.  He  was  a 
Christian  gentleman,  a  successful  Preacher  and  Pas- 
tor and  a  mighty  power  in  his  last  official  position. 
The  church  will  long  feel  the  want  of  his  eloquent 
tongue  in  pleading  the  cause  of  Home   Missions." 

Sept.  19,  1881. 
"My  heart  goes  out  to  you,  in  your  great  sorrow, 
with  inexpressible  tenderness.  Few  marriages  are 
as  perfect  as  yours,  and  for  long  years  you  have  en- 
joyed that  union  of  thought  and  feeling  with  a  gift- 
ed, consecrated  soul  which  is  the  privilege  only  of 
a  loved  and  honored  wife. 

You  do  not  mourn  alone — ''A  prince  has  fallen  in 
Israel"  and  the  Presbyterian  church  of  the  whole 
country  feels  the  loss  of  a  trusted  and  honored  lead- 
er. A  little  waiting,  a  little  more  work,  and  you  will 
go  and  join  your  beloved,  where  there  will  be  no 
more  parting,  but  fulness  of  joy  forever." 

Sept.  23.  1881. 
''The  tender,  genial  nature  that  made  his  life  such 
sunshine  to  others  made  him  greatly  beloved  and 
now  greatly  mourned  in  my  home. 

My  wife  and  children  shared  my  joy  in  having  his 
bright,  beautiful  companionship," 


j62  Me^norial. 


Sept.  26.  1 88 1. 

"Your  husband  has  gone  to  reap  his  reward,  a  re- 
ward for  service  long  and  well  done  for  the  Master 
he  loved. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  kindness  he  showed  me 
personally.  When  I  was  licensed  by  the  Baltimore 
Presbytery,  he  took  me  by  the  hand,  spoke  encour- 
agingly to  me  and  literally  led  me  to  your  home, 
where,  it  is  needless  to  say,  I  was  treated  with  all 
due  hospitality  and  respect.  Ever,  from  that  day  to 
this,  did  he  manifest  a  great  readiness  to  help  me  in 
any  way  he  could." 

Sept.  27.  1881. 

"To  be  about -his  Master's  business  seemed  to  be 
the  sole  thought  of  his  life — our  regret  is  that  one 
so  anxious  to  serve  could  not  be  allowed  to  work 
longer  in  the  vineyard. 

His  zeal  and  earnestness,  full  of  vitality  and  ten- 
derness, his  very  life  imprinted  itself  indelibly 
upon  our  hearts  and  memories — always  sympathiz- 
ing, exhorting,  comforting,  and  doing  with  all  his 
might  all  that  his  hands  found  to  do.  Whatever 
disadvantages  I  may  have  struggled  under  during 
our  residence  in the  blessed  privilege  of  hav- 
ing Dr.  Dickson  as  a  guide  through  the  desert  was 
given  me.  He  led  me  to  the  'green  pastures'  and'still 
waters'  of  salvation  where  my  sin-sick  soul  found 
rest.     Blessed  be  his  name  and  memory  forever  !" 

Sept.  28.  1881. 

Few  men  can  look  back  upon  so  extended  an  ac- 
tivity and  influence  as  he  exercised.     You  can  revive, 


Words  of  Sympathy.  j6j 

more  distinctly  than  the  passing  visitor,  how  your 
house  was  an  exchange  centre  for  our  whole  country, 
and  how  men  came  to  your  father  from  North, 
South,  East,  and  West,  his  church  all  the  while  giv- 
ing him  plenty  to  do.  And  then  the  case  was  re- 
versed when  he  became  Secretary,  and  went  out 
through  the  whole  country  with  his  messages. 

Sept.  28.  1 88 1. 
''The  will  of  the  Lord  has  been  done,  Miss  Maggie, 
but,  while  we  mourn,  your  father  is  happy  among 
the  redeemed  ones.  He  had  more  influence  over 
me  than,  as  I  think,  any  other  person  whom  I  have 
met.  He  it  was  who  led  me  to  praying  in  public. 
He  was  undoubtedly  the  instrumental  cause  of  my 
entering  into  the  ministry,  and  one  of  his  remarks 
to  this  end  was  very  characteristic.  When  I  hesitat- 
ed, embarrassed  with  many  doubts  he  said  'Get  your 
Bullions'  Greek  grammar  and  resume  its  study  ;  if 
nothing  special  comes  of  it,  it  will  be  a  help  heaven- 
ward.' It  was  he  who  mentioned  my  name  to  the 
people  of  the  church  of  which  I  have  been  pastor 
for  six  years,  and  with  a  fitness  which  seems  to  me 
appropriate,  his  last  sermon,  (I  think  I  am  right) 
was  preached  in  my  church.  Sabbath  morning  Jan- 
uary 25,  1880 — he  had  come  over  expecting  to  be  a 
quiet  worshipper  with  us,  but  I  prevailed  on  him  to 
preach,  which  he  did,  not  entering  the  pulpit  but 
standing  on  the  floor  in  front,  where  he  delivered  an 
excellent  address  to  parents  concerning  their  duties 
to  their  children." 


j64  Memorial. 


Sept.  28,  1881. 
"I  was  greatly  grieved  to  see  in  the  'Presbyterian' 
yesterday  the  notice  of  your  father's  departure — 
grieved  for  my  own  sake  and  for  the  sake  of  those  who 
survive  him.  But  for  his  sake  we  ought  to  rejoice, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  far  better  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ  than  to  remain  here.  I  loved  your  father  as 
I  love  but  one  other  man  on  earth.  Consequently 
I  can  not  but  feel  grieved  at  his  removal.  But  sep- 
arations of  this  kind  are  not  for  long.  Soon  we 
shall  be  re-united  in  the  Father's  house  above." 

Sept.  28,  1 88 1. 

I  deeply  feel  for  you  and  yours  and  am  also  con- 
scious of  viy  sense  of  loss,  but  for  him  who  has  gone 
'wherefore  should  we  fast  .-^ '  He  has  ended  his 
mission.  He  has  done  his  work  earnestly,  honestly, 
and  well.  His  whole  soul  so  throbbed  in  his  ap- 
pointed duty,  that  he  frayed  away  the  moorings 
that  held  him  to  earth.  He  labored  so  incessantly 
and  actively  that  God  gave  him  an  earlier  rest.  To- 
day,with  his  mind  freed  from  fleshly  embarrassments, 
he  can  trace  on  the  upper  side  of  God's  mission  map 
what  he  was  permitted  to  do  for  His  glory,  and  pos- 
sibly be  allowed  to  see  how  his  personal  work  bears 
on  the  ultimate  redemption  of  a  world.  For  the 
busy  Christian  man,  there  at  last  is  rest.  For  the 
faithful  preacher,  there  is  the  joy  of  meeting  souls 
saved  by  his  earnest  pulpit  and  pastoral  work.  And 
for  the  Commander  in  the  battle-line  of  Church 
work,  there  is  the  crown  fresh  from  the  hand  of  the 


Words  of  Sympathy.  j6§ 

'Captain  of  his  Salvation.'  Sorrow  sacredly  draws 
its  mantle  closer  and  especially  loves  to  commune 
with  memory  on  the  life  and  love  as  seen  and  felt  in 
the  narrower  walk  of  home  life.  I  know  but  a  little 
of  that  life  and  yet  much  more  than  others.  I  have 
often  met  you  when  things  were  as  they  used  to  be 
and  I  felt  that  you  had  one  of  those  rare,  delightful 
homes,  where  joy  was  self-entertained  and  where 
peace  and  comfort  were  not  dependent  on  outside 
aid,  but,  like  oriental  fountains,  welled  up  ever  in  the 
inner  court  of  your  own  private  family  life.  As  the 
father  and  husband  he  will  be  missed  the  most.  I 
shall  never  forget  Dr.  Dickson.  He  was  always  the 
same  true,  helpful,  hopeful  friend.  " 

Oct.  I,  1881. 
'•Who  could  have  wished  him  to  remain  longer 
out  of  his  rich  inheritance  !  To  all  those  who  loved 
him  he  has  left  rich  and  precious  memories.  I  like 
to  think  of  a  grand  and  beautiful  life  taking  its 
new  lease  where  there  are  no  fleshly  ills  to  bind  and 
impede  its  progress." 

Oct.  4,  1 88 1. 

"  I  look  backward  now  to  a  conversation  I  had 
with  your  Father  some  two  years  ago,  when  he  felt 
the  first  indications  of  his  illness — he  opened  to  me 
his  thoughts  and  feelings  in  reference  to  what  he 
apprehended  would  be  a  sudden  death.  He  talked 
with  great  calmness  about.it,  as  something  he  had 
thought  of,  and  that  gave  him  no  fear.  He  was  not 
only  prepared  himself  for  the  great  change  but  he 


S66  Memorial. 


had  also  done  God's  work  bravely  and  faithfully  for 
many  years.  His  heart  was  in  the  Master's  cause, 
and  no  man  ever  devoted  himself  to  the  work  with 
a  more  untiring  assiduity. 

His  own  warm-hearted  cordiality  and  his  deep 
sympathy  with  every  suffering  minister  has  endear- 
ed him  to  the  whole  church.  His  eloquent  appeals 
in  behalf  of  Missions  will  long  be  remembered." 

Nov.  15,  1881. 

''No  one  beyond  his  family  circle,  I  believe,  en- 
tertained more  profound  love  and  honor  for  Dr. 
Dickson  than  did  my  family,  and  none  had  a  more 
intimate  knowledge  and  a  higher  admiration  of  his 
magnificent  mind,  blended  with  his  sweet  and  win- 
ning disposition.  His  memory  to  me  is  sacred  with 
so  many  luminous  events  that  it  can  only  cease  with 
life  itself." 

Nov.  19,  1881. 

"  I  do  not  believe  anybody  in  New  York,  outside 
of  your  own  family,  loved  your  dear  husband  better 
than  I  did.  I  loved  him  for  his  own  sake,  and  for 
his  Master's  sake.  His  first  sermon  in  New  York, 
in  behalf  of  the  Home  Mission  cause,  was  preached, 
1  think,  in  my  church,  and  a  wonderful  sermon  it 
was,  full  of  power  and  holy  enthusiasm.  He  fairly 
took  captive  the  hearts  of  my  people,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  magnificent  collection.  From  that  time 
we  became  warm  friends,  and  the  more  I  saw 
of  him,  whether  at  meetings  of  the  Board  at  Chi 
Alpha,  or  elsewhere,  the  more    I  learned  to   love 


Words  of  Sympathy.  j6y 

and  honor  him,  and  it  was  a  great  comfort  to  me  to 
know  that  my  affection  was  fully  reciprocated. 

What  consolation  and  joy  you  must  have  in  the 
memory  of  what  he  was  to  you,  and  of  what  he  did 
for  the  kingdom  of  his  Lord  and  Saviour  !  He  was 
certainly  one  of  the  noblest  of  men,  and  one  of 
the  most  whole-souled  servants  of  Christ  it  has  ever 
been  my  privilege  to  know." 

Dec.  28,  1881. 

*'  You,  my  dear  madam,  have  not  to  sorrow  like 
others  'who  have  no  hope.'  for  you  know,  as  we 
know,  that  your  husband  sleeps  in  Jesus,  and  that 
those  who  do  thus  sleep  God  will  bring  with  Him. 
Besides  what  joy  must  the  noble  and  useful  life  of 
your  dear  departed  one  give  you.  A  splendid  ca- 
reer of  usefulness,  exceeding  in  its  dimensions  all 
that  the  great  apostle  of  the  Gentiles  traversed  in 
his  wonderful  journeys,  and  reaching  in  its  influ- 
ence to  the  most  distant  ages.  Untold  multitudes  in 
this  land  and  in  all  lands  will  rise  and  bless  his  mem- 
ory. And  again,  after  such  a  life,  he  now  wears  the 
conqueror's  crown  in  the  presence  of  God. 

May  I  say  in  conclusion  that  I  have  read  the 
sketch  of  Dr.  Eaton  with  great  interest  and  can  tes- 
tify that  the  features  of  your  husband's  character 
he  portrayed,  are  not  beyond  the  truth,  as  is  too  of- 
ten the  case.  They  fall  short  of  it.  As  an  orator, 
as  a  patriot,  as  a  friend,  as  a  pastor,  as  a  Christian 
and  a  Christian  minister,  he  has  left  us  all  a  model. 
The  tenderness  of  his  friendship  was  like  that  of 


J  68  Memorial. 


Jonathan,  described  by  David  as  surpassing  the  love 
of  women,  and  his  serious  though  cheerful  piety  dif- 
fused a  charm  over  every  place  and  company  he 
visited.  But  I  dare  not  enlarge.  I  could  write 
pages  about  the  college  life  of  my  earliest  and  best 
college  friend,  but  must  forbear." 

Jan.  10,  1882. 

''But  not  so  can  perish  the  work  which  he  wrought 
there  and  elsewhere — the  words  which  he  spoke  still 
remain,  a  living  force  in  many  hearts,  imperishable 
as  the  souls  to  whose  eternal  destinies  they  gave 
direction — the  work  to  which  he  consecrated  his 
best  energies  still  goes  on,  to  bless  the  generations 
yet  to  come,  for  whom  his  far-reaching,  living 
thought  furnished  a  gospel. 

Dear  Dr.  Dickson  still  lives  with  us — in  the  ardor 
of  youthful  feeling  we  gave  him  our  affection,  and 
through  changes  of  time  and  absence  it  survives, 
rejoicing  in  all  that  he  was,  and  in  what  he  was  to 
us, — in  the  noble  work  which  he  accornplished,  and 
in  the  blessedness  of  his  reward. 

The  text  which,  in  my  mind,  more  than  any  other, 
is  associated  with  Dr.  Dickson  is  this,  '  It  is  of  the 
Lord's  mercies  that  we  are  not  consumed,  because 
His  compassions  fail  not — they  are  new  every  morn- 
ing.    Great  is  Thy  faithfulness  !  " 

Jan.  21,  1882. 
*'  When  he   was  gone,  when  the  same  world  no 
longer  held  both  him  and  us,  I  felt  and  do  feel  be- 
reft with  you.    A  father  and  friend  has  gone,  no  more 


Words  of  Sympathy.  j6g 

to  return — the  friend  of  my  childhood,  and  my  moth- 
er's friend  will  no  more  meet  and  greet  me. 

I  remember  pleasantly  in  the  midst  of  my  sense 
of  loss  his  last  visit  here — his  kindness  in  being 
with  us  as  his  younger  friends,  and  how  it  pleased 
me  to  have  him  become  better  acquainted  with  my 
husband,  as  he  had  so  long  known  me.  It  is  com- 
forting to  think  of  his  life  and  work,  how  he  hon- 
ored his  Lord  in  abundant  labors,  in  earnest  devo- 
tion, in  great  helpfulness  to  the  brethren. 

His  stirring  words  here  on  that  last  visit  are  well 
remembered.  And  then  we  know,  or  rather  it  is 
beyond  our  knowledge  or  conception,  how  well  it  is 
with  those  to  whom  our  Master  says,  "Well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord." 


V.     PRESS  NOTICES. 


^^ Death  makes  no  conquest  of  this  conqueror: 
For  now  he  lives  in  fame ,  though  not  i7i  lifeT 

Richard,  hi. 

**This  is  a  grievous  mourning  to  the  Egyptians'' 

Gen.  l.  II. 


V.     PRESS  NOTICES. 


Independent  Press,  Fraiiklin,  Penn. 

The  death  of  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.,  whose 
funeral  took  place  at  Baltimore  last  week,  has  elicit- 
ed a  feeling  of  sincere  regret  throughout  this  com- 
munity, especially  amongst  the  older  members  of  it. 
Besides  being  a  man  of  great  power  in  the  pulpit, 
and'  an  efficient  worker  for  the  Christian  cause  al- 
ways, Dr.  Dickson  was  a  person  of  singular  force 
and  individuality.  He  impressed  himself  on  all  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  had  the  faculty  of 
friendship  in  the  highest  degree.  Endowed  with 
quick  insight,  genial  in  manner,  keen  and  ready  of 
speech,  and  with  that  true  politeness  that  can  only 
come  from  a  manly  heart,  he  was  a  man  to  make 
friends  on  all  hands,  and  ''to  grapple  them  to  his 
heart  with  hooks  of  steel."  The  friendships  that  he 
formed  with  our  people  in  the  early  and  adverse 
days,  have  lasted  without  abatement  or  break  on 
either  side.  In  all  the  days  that  have  intervened 
since  his  labors  here,  Dr.  Dickson  has  shown  an  ac- 
tive and  faithful  interest  in  the  welfare  of  this  peo- 
ple ;  especially  the  members  of  his  old  charge,  and 
their  children  as  well,  have  never  ceased  to  love 
and  honor  him.  The  inspiration  of  his  brave  ex- 
ample, cheerful  counsel  and  sturdy  heart  was  alive 


3^/4  Memorial. 


and  active  here  to  the  day  of  his  death,  and  will  out- 
last this  generation. 

Dr.  Dickson  was  a  prodigious  worker,  with  an  as- 
tonishing faculty  for  drudgery,  and  it  was  in  the 
midst  of  a  multitude  of  labors  that  he  was  stricken, 
and  finally  fell,  a  martyr  to  overwork  in  the  cause 
of  God  and  man.  He  passes  to  the  reward  of  those 
who  have  fought  the  good  fight,  finished  the  course 
and  kept  the  faith. 

Philadelphia  Inquirer. 
Rev.    Cyrus    Dickson. 

The  death  of  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.,  late 
Secretary  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions, is  announced.  Dr.  Dickson,  whose  death  oc- 
curred in  Baltimore  on  the  4th  inst.,  was  one  of  the 
most  learned  and  eloquent  ministers  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  he  was  as  renowned  for  goodness 
as  for  learning  and  eloquence.  Dr.  Dickson,  through 
the  daily  beauty  of  his  life,  practically  illustrated 
the  loftiest  ideal  of  the  Christian  character.  He 
was  a  gentleman  of  such  simple,  earnest  faith,  of 
such  gentle,  refined  manner,  of  such  rigid  virtue,  of 
such  broad  charity,  and  such  nobility  of  mind  and 
tenderness  of  heart  as  to  command  the  admiration, 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  those  who  happily  were 
brought  within  the  limits  of  his  influence.  His  re- 
ligion shaped  his  life,  and  shaped  it  grandly  and 
beautifully.  It  made  it  a  life  of  singular  usefulness, 
purity  and  helpfulness.  It  was  full  of  zeal  for 
Christ,  and  the  work   He    commanded  should  be 


Press  Notices.  jy§ 


done  in  His  name.  It  was  full,  too,  of  the  sweetest 
humanity  and  the  tenderest  mercy.  He  never  had 
heart  nor  time  for  condemnation  of  the  erring  :  he 
was  too  eager  to  help  them  and  too  busy  in  doing 
it.  He  went  up  and  down  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord, 
cheering  the  strong,  encouraging  the  faint-hearted, 
assisting  those  who  had  fallen  beside  the  unfinished 
task,  pouring  oil  into  the  wounds  of  the  wounded, 
giving  water  to  them  that  thirsted,  feeding  the  hun- 
gry, nursing  the  sick,  pouring  hope  into  the  hearts 
of  the  despairing.  To  work  such  as  that  he  gave  all 
that  is  allowed  men  to  give — their  lives  ;  he  gave 
his  to  it.  As  surely  as  the  soldier  dies  on  the  battle- 
field from  the  bullet,  did  Dr.  Dickson  die  from  ex- 
cessive labor  in  doing  God's  work.  He  thought  it 
wise  to  labor  without  resting ;  that  is  why  those 
who  loved  and  honored  him  living  can  not  too 
greatly  mourn  for  him  dying.  He  had  worked  long 
and  well.     Now  he  shall  rest  long  and  well." 

Herald  and  Pj'esbyter,   Cinciiuiati. 

As  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  Dr, 
Dickson  did  the  greatest  work  of  his  life.  He  and 
Secretary  Kendall  were  true  yoke-fellows,  differing 
somewhat,  but  happily  the  one  was  a  complement 
of  the  other,  so  as  to  represent  and  do  every  part  of 
the  work  in  the  best  manner.  Dr.  Dickson's  strength 
lay  in  his  nervous  power  as  a  speaker.  Few  men  in 
our  church  were  so  able  to  stir  up  a  congregation 
or  a  Church  Court. 


j/d  Memorial. 


Presbyterian,   Sept.  17,    188 1. 

In  his  pastorates  Dr.  Dickson  was  always  success- 
ful, and  churches  grew  steadily  under  his  ministra- 
tions. But  it  was  as  a  leader  in  the  Home  Mission 
work  that  he  became  most  conspicuous  and  most 
honored.  Here  he  was  eloquent,  because  he  grasp- 
ed and  presented,  with  wonderful  vigor  and  breadth 
of  view,  the  full  importance  of  this  great  work.  He 
loved  the  land  and  the  nation,  and  the  church  as 
well,  and  in  this  love  found  an  inspiration  urging 
him  to  plead  for  the  evangelization  of  the  nation  at 
the  bar  of  the  church.  Few  who  heard  him  in  his 
grand  orations  before  the  General  Assemblies  will 
forget  the  wondrous  sweep  of  his  argument  and 
the  power  of  his  appeals.  Since  the  days  of  Dr. 
John  Breckinridge  there  has  been  no  one  who  has 
pleaded  for  missions,  or  so  swayed  listening  Assem- 
blies, inspiring  them  to  new  zeal  for  the  land  in 
which  they  dwell,  as  the  man  who  has  just  been  laid 
to  rest.  We  are  sorry  that  we  shall  hear  that  elo- 
quent voice  no  more.  But  the  work  given  him  by  the 
Master  was  well  done,  and  the  servant  rests  from 
toil  and  rejoices  in  his  large  reward. 

A  Great  Humanitarian. 

New  York  T^ihiney  September  18. 

*'  The  religious  world  was  startled  by  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  death,  in  Baltimore,  on  Sunday 
last,  of  Dr.  Cyrus  Dickson,  one  of  the  foremost 
Christian  teachers  of  our  day,  and  for  many  years 


Press  N'otices,  jyy 


in  charge  of  the  Home  Missions  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian denomination.  The  closed  record  of  this  man 
deserves  notice  in  a  secular  journal  as  that  of  no 
mere  theologian  or  scholar  could  do,  for  his  work 
and  life  passed  beyond  the  limits  of  any  one  sect 
and  became  a  force  in  the  actual  progress  of  the 
country  and  a  factor  in  its  civilization.  He  was  a 
man  of  marked  individuality  and  most  indomitable, 
fervid  zeal.  His  sympathies  were  intensely  keen, 
his  Christian  faith  lofty,  and  his  heart  a  big,  glow- 
ing fire  which  would  have  warmed  the  whole  miser- 
able outside  world  if  it  could.  Added  to  this  were 
a  fine  sense  of  humor  and  a  strong  personal  magnet- 
ism. No  person  who  once  met  the  man  ever  forgot 
him. 

The  whole  force  of  his  nature  he  threw  into  the 
work  which  he  took  up  some  eleven  years  ago, 
which  was  the  Christianizing  and  civilizing  of  the 
poorer  districts  of  the  States  and  newly  settled  Ter- 
ritories, especially  the  vast  Pacific  slope,  where  the 
fermenting  elements  of  paganism,  savagery,  intem- 
perance, modern  skepticism  and  the  leaven  of  sturdy 
American  faith  are  all  at  work  together.  Into  this 
cause  he  flung  himself,  soul,  mind  and  body,  with 
an  energy  that  carried  new  life  into  every  part  of 
it ;  he  made  long  pilgrimages  to  every  outlying  sta- 
tion :  his  nanie  became  a  household  word  in  the 
home  of  each  poor  missionary  in  our  farthest  bor- 
ders. He  carried  them  all — their  wants  and  strug- 
gles— in  his  heart,  night  and  day,  as  though  each 
man  had  been  his  brother.     Beside  this,  the  over- 


37^  Memorial. 


sight  of  the  details  of  a  gigantic  organization  de- 
volved upon  him.  Nothing  would  induce  him  to 
shirk  any  portion  of  the  weight  resting  on  him.  The 
cause  succeeded,  but  the  riian  staggered  and  fell. 
He  died  as  absolutely  a  sacrifice  to  his  cause  as  any 
Christian  martyr  who  ever  perished  at  the  stake. 

Such  self  devotion  to  our  brother  man  is  too  rare 
in  this  country  and  time  for  us  to  allow  it  to  pass 
unnoticed.  Practical  men  may  talk  of  the  pity  of 
the  sacrifice  and  the  wasted  life.  But  was  it  wast- 
ed }  He  goes  on  with  his  work  even  now.  The 
sight  of  this  soldier,  dead  upon  the  field  of  honor, 
is  a  clarion  call  to  every  honest  soul,  whether  it  be 
that  of  a  Christian  or  a  man  of  the  world. 

New  York  Observer. 
Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D. 

"  The  late  beloved  Secretary  of  the  Presbyterian 
Board  of  Home  Missions,  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D. 
D.,  died  at  Baltimore  on  Sunday  last.  We  know  of 
no  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church  who  won 
the  hearts  of  his  brethren  and  of  the  people  more 
fully,  or  who  labored  more  efficiently  in  advancing 
the  cause  of  the  Redeemer  throughout  this  land. 
He  literally  wore  himself  out  in  the  service.  He 
could  say  with  truth,  in  the  words  of  the  Master  : 
**The  zeal  of  thine  house  hath  eaten  me  up." 

In  1870  he  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Presby- 
terian Board  of  Home  Missions.  In  this  office  he 
may  be  said  to  have  performed  the  great  work  of 
his    life.      Warmly    attached    to    the    Presbyterian 


Press  Notices.  jyg 


church,  devoted  with  all  his  heart  to  the  upbuild- 
ing of  the  cause  of  Christ,  he  made  extensive  jour- 
neys over  the  whole  country  to  study  its  condition 
and  needs.  He  came  back  from  these  journeys  fired 
with  a  truly  missionary  spirit,  and  in  the  pulpits  and 
on  the  floor  of  the  ecclesiastical  assemblies  pleaded 
the  cause  of  Home  Missions  with  an  eloquence  that 
is  rarely  heard.  His  addresses  before  the  General 
Assembly  in  successive  years  were  often  spoken  of 
as  the  chief  features  of  the  meetings.  He  was  a 
delegate  to  the  first  Pan-Presbyterian  Council  in 
Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in  1877,  where  his  earnest  ap- 
peals made  the  same  deep  impression,  and  will  long 
be  remembered  as  among  the  most  interesting  of 
the  exercises.  In  1870,  on  the  re-union  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  he  was  appointed  Permanent  Clerk 
of  the  General  Assembly,  in  which  office  he  con- 
tinued to  the  time  of  his  death. 

About  two  years  since  his  health  failed,  owing  to 
his  ardent  devotion  to  his  work,  which  had  induced 
a  serious  affection  of  the  brain.  It  was  hoped  that 
rest  would  restore  him,  and  a  successor  was  not  ap- 
pointed until  about  three  months  since,  when  all 
hope  of  his  recovery  was  given  up.  The  loss  of 
such  men  as  Dr.  Dickson  from  the  church  is  deeply 
lamented.  He  was  widely  known,  and  was  every- 
where beloved." 

Banner,  Pittsburgh. 
Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it  was  generally 
known  that  the  health  of  Rev.   Cyrus   Dickson,  D. 


j8o  Me^norial. 


D.,  had  been  declining  for  years,  the  announcement 
of  his  death  on  Sabbath,  September  ii,  was  a  shock 
not  only  to  his  personal  friends,  who  were  many,  but 
also  to  the  entire  church,  which  he  had  served  so 
long  and  so  well.  He  had  spent  the  summer  with 
relatives  in  Illinois,  and  only  a  short  time  ago  he 
had  returned  to  Baltimore.  But  the  improvement 
in  health  so  greatly  desired  had  not  taken  place. 
From  month  to  month  he  had  become  weaker,  while 
his  complicated  maladies  were  continually  gaining 
strength,  and  his  family  and  others  around  him, 
much  as  they  wished  him  to  live,  were  convinced 
that  the  end  was  not  far  off. 

Dr.  Dickson  was  the  son  of  a  worthy  farmer  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  was  born  in  Erie  County, 
Pennsylvania,  December  20,  18 16.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  entered  Jefferson  College  at  Canons- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  graduated  in  1837. 
During  his  student  life  there.  Rev.  Matthew  Brown, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  was  President,  and  Rev.  William 
Smith,  D.D.,  was  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages. 
Among  his  classmates  who  are  dead  were  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Eaton,  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Kerr,  Rev.  Walter  M. 
Lowrie,  missionary  to  China — murdered  in  1847; 
Rev.  Joseph  E.  Nourse,  Professor  in  the  United 
States  Naval  Academy  ;  and  Rev.  Griffith  Owen. 
Among  those  yet  living  were  William  G.  Barnett, 
M.  D.,  Hon.  James  Campbell,  Rev.  George  Hill,  D. 
D.,  Hon.  Harrison  P.  Laird,  Rev.  Philo  M.  Semple, 
W.  M.  Stewart,  Esq.,  Rev.  Joseph  T.  Smith,  D.D., 
and  David  Wilson,  Esq. 


Press  N'otices.  j8i 

Dr.  Dickson  was  a  man  of  strongly  marked  char- 
acteristics. When  in  health  it  was  a  pleasure  to 
look  on  his  face,  to  feel  the  warm  grasp  of  his  hand, 
and  to  listen  to  his  cheery  voice.  He  was  a  most 
genial  and  entertaining  companion,  abounding  in 
anecdotes  and  quick  at  repartee,  and  always  ready 
to  do  a  kindness.  His  door  w^as  always  open  to  visi- 
tors and  he  was  welcomed  at  every  fireside  to  which 
he  went.  His  piety  was  warm,  active,  sympathetic 
and  encouraging.  In  the  family  and  beside  the  sick 
bed  his  counsels  were  judicious  and  hopeful.  He 
attracted  the  young  people  to  himself  and  was  skill- 
ful in  leading  them  to  the  Saviour  of  sinners.  In 
the  pulpit  he  was  earnest.  Scriptural  and  instruc- 
tive. Under  his  pulpit  ministrations  and  pastoral 
care  the  churches  which  he  served  increased  great- 
ly, and  in  them  his  memory  will  be  long  and  tender- 
ly cherished. 

But  it  was  on  the  platform,  when  presenting  the 
claims  of  Home  Missions,  that  Dr.  Dickson's  great 
qualities  of  heart  and  head  were  most  conspicuous. 
He  had  visited  the  remotest  parts  of  the  home  mis- 
sion field,  had  seen  the  wants  of  the  people,  and  had 
witnessed  the  struggles  of  the  ministers  there.  The 
history  of  the  church  in  this  country,  especially  in 
Western  Pennsylvania,  was  familiar  to  him.  His 
supply  of  facts  and  anecdotes  was  almost  unfailing. 
From  the  beginning  he  would  have  the  attention  of 
all  who  were  present,  and  in  a  few  moments  he 
would  gain  complete  control  of  their  affections  and 
will.     On  some  of  these  occasions  he  made  impres- 


j82  Memorial, 


sions  seldom  equalled  and  that  will  never  be  forgot- 
ten. 

Interior^  Chicago. 

Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D. 

The  death  of  this  eminent  servant  of  God  has 
brought  pain  to  the  hearts  of  an  unusually  wide  cir- 
cle of  friends  and  admirers  in  all  parts  of  our  coun- 
try. For  a  period  of  ten  years  or  more,  before  he 
was  disabled  and  partially  laid  aside  by  the  malady 
which  has  now  terminated  his  useful  life,  he  was 
widely  known  as  one  of  the  most  indefatigable 
workers  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  repre- 
sentative men  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  His 
great  work  as  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Missions 
brought  him  constantly  before  the  public,  and  sent 
him  on  long  journeys  across  the  country  in  many 
directions,  especially  on  the  great  home  field  of  the 
west.  Within  the  last  two  years  he  had  been  com- 
pelled by  a  serious  affection  of  the  brain  and  partial 
paralysis  to  relinquish  this  much  loved  work,  and 
finally,  last  spring,  to  resign  his  office  and  retire  from 
it  altogether.  He  possessed  popular  pulpit  talents 
of  a  high  order,  and  was  a  good  type  of  the  self-made 
man.  He  early  acquired  habits  of  self  reliance,  of 
energetic  work,  of  address  and  influence  over  men, 
which  enabled  him  to  win  success  on  each  field  of 
his  ministry,  and  to  do  well  everything  he  ever  at- 
tempted. Through  all  his  public  official  life,  of 
forty-two  years,  his  pathway  was  on  a  sure  and  con- 
stantly ascending  scale. 


Press  Notices.  j8j 


Accordingly  when  the  great  era  of  co-operation 
had  come,  and  the  Presbyterian  church  happily  re- 
united looked  out  for  men  competent  to  inaugurate 
a  new  departure  in  the  whole  important  department 
of  domestic  missions,  with  its  wider  field  and  its 
augmented  responsibilities,  Dr.  Dickson  and  Dr. 
Kendall  were  chosen  as  the  men  best  qualified  for 
the  task.  There  had  long  been  an  urgent  demand 
in  the  church,  making  itself  heard  in  every  General 
Assembly,  that  there  must  be  more  energy,  more  ag- 
gression, more  expansion,  more  direct  personal  con- 
tact of  the  church  with  its  missionaries  in  this  im- 
portant field.  The  great  west,  and  indeed  the  whole 
church,  called  for  men  of  life  and  power,  men  of 
zeal  and  enthusiasm  commensurate  with  the  great- 
ness of  the  country  and  the  greatness  of  the  work. 
Nor  was  the  call  in  vain  as  it  regards  either  of  the 
new  colleague  secretaries.  As  for  Dr.  Dickson, 
every  one  who  has  ever  been  at  a  General  Assembly, 
through  all  these  years,  and  heard  his  eloquent  voice 
like  a  trumpet  call  to  battle,  pleading  for  the  mis- 
sionary and  for  the  great  west,  can  bear  witness  to 
the  energy  and  the  ardor  with  which  he  threw  his 
whole  soul  into  this  last  great  work  of  his  life. 

His  work  possessed  him  and  all  his  faculties  until 
it  was  accomplished.  When  he  stood  up  before 
vast  audiences  at  the  annual  meetings  of  the  As- 
sembly, as  he  did  at  Chicago  in  May,  1877,  and  as 
he  did  at  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Council  in  Edinburg 
in  July  of  the  same  year,  with  his  immense  map  of 
the  United  States  spread  out  behind  him  over  the 


3^4  Me7noriaL 


stage,  and  told  of  the  vastness  of  this  work,  and  of 
the  high  command  of  God  to  evangelize  and  Chris- 
tianize the  continent,  he  talked  like  one  inspired 
with  the  zeal  of  the  old  apostles,  and  baptized  with 
a  fresh  baptism  of  the  Spirit.  And  on  these  occasions 
it  was  difficult  to  decide  which  was  uppermost  in 
the  heart  of  the  speaker — his  intense  loyalty  to  the 
American  Union,  or  his  loving  admiration  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  It  was  easy,  however,  to  see 
that  above  them  both  he  placed  his  allegiance  to  the 
cross  and  crown  of  Immanuel.  He  was  an  Ameri- 
can, he  was  a  Presbyterian,  and  he  was  a  Christian, 
known  and  read  of  all  men  who  ever  heard  him 
preach  or  plead  for  missions. 

Dr.  Dickson's  addresses  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Assembly,  to  many  persons,  constituted  the  most 
attractive  feature  of  the  occasion,  drawing  great 
crowds  to  hear  him.  One  element  of  his  success  in 
these  telling  speeches  was  his  inexhaustible  fund  of 
anecdote,  and  genial  flow  of  humor.  This  indeed 
was  one  of  the  things  which  always  made  him  so 
popular  as  a  preacher,  so  loved  as  a  pastor,  and  so 
much  admired  as  a  man,  especially  by  the  young. 
These  popular  talents,  coupled  with  his  deep  piety, 
his  earnest  spirit,  and  his  rich  stores  of  instruction 
as  an  expounder  of  God's  word,  gave  him  a  powerful 
influence  over  the  hearts  of  men. 

Says  a  contemporary  :  '*  We  know  of  no  minister 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  who  won  the  hearts  of 
his  brethren  and  of  the  people  more  fully,  or  who 
labored  more  efficiently  in  advancing  the  cause  of 


Press  Notices.  j8^ 


the  Redeemer.  He  literally  wore  himself  out  in 
the  service.  He  could  say  with  truth,  in  the  words 
of  the  Master,  ''The  zeal  of  thine  house  hath  eaten 
me  up."  "  Since  the  death  of  John  Breckinridge," 
says  another,  "  there  has  been  no  one  who  has  so 
pleaded  for  missions,  or  so  swayed  listening  assem- 
blies, inspiring  them  with  new  zeal  for  the  land  in 
which  they  dwell,  as  the  man  who  has  just  been 
laid  to  rest." 

In  1870  Dr.  Dickson  was  made  j>ermanent  clerk 
of  the  General  Assembly,  which  office  he  held  till 
his  death.  He  has  done  a  great  service  for  the 
church,  he  has  won  an  enviable  reputation  for  zeal 
and  eloquence  as  a  minister  of  Christ.  He  has, 
along  with  his  colleague.  Dr.  Kendall,  given  to  the 
Board  of  Missions  a  position  and  an  influence  which 
it  had  never  attained  before. 

New   York  Evangelist. 

EDITORIAL  NOTES. 

One  of  the  noblest  men  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  is  gone.  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.,  so 
long  Secretary  of  our  Board  of  Home  Missions, 
breathed  his  last  in  Baltimore  on  Sunday  morning. 
He  had  been  in  ill  health  for  some  months,  so  that 
his  death  was  not  unexpected.  A  letter  received 
at  the  Mission  Rooms  says  "He  had  failed  rapidly 
for  several  days,  and  since  Friday  was  unconscious. 
The  funeral  services  will  be  held  at  the  Westmin- 
ster church  in  this  city  (Baltimore)  on  Wednesday, 
at  ten  o'clock."     So  passes  away  one  who  was  very 


j86  MemoriaL 


widely  known,  and  whom  to  know  was  to  honor  and 
to  love.  There  was  a  Christian  manliness  about 
him  which  impressed  even  those  who  were  strang- 
ers. In  the  pulpit  and  on  the  platform  few  men 
had  greater  power.  His  brethren  will  remember 
his  thrilling  appeals  for  Home  Missions  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  But  the  eloquent  voice  is  hushed, 
the  manly  form  is  laid  low.  May  these,  oft-recur- 
ring deaths  quicken  us  to  duty,  to  work  while  the 
day  lasts,  knowing  that  the  night  cometh  when  no 
man  can  work  ! 

He  was  an  important  delegate  to  the  first  Pan- 
Presbyterian  Council  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in 
1877.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  Perma- 
nent Clerk  of  the  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  also  trustee  of  Princeton  College, 
which  last  position  he  had  held  for  twenty  years. 
He  was  a  faithful  and  devoted  minister,  largely 
and  favorably  known.  As  a  speaker  on  Home 
Missions  he  had  a  reputation  abroad  as  well  as 
at  home.  His  efforts  in  Scotland,  on  this  sub- 
ject, were  among  his  best.  His  influence  during 
the  war,  it  is  said,  contributed  to  the  harmony  of 
the  Presbyterian  churches  in  Baltimore.  He  leaves 
a  widow  and  three  daughters. 

Baltimore  Presbyterian. 

Although  an  able  preacher,  a  deep  thinker  and 
a  careful  expounder  of  Gospel  truths.  Dr.  Dickson 
was  pre-eminently  successful  through  the  great 
geniality  and  sunshine  of  his  presence.     He  was 


Press  Notices.  jSy 


eminently  attractive,  to  the  young  especially,  by 
reason  of  this  one  characteristic,  and  herein  lies 
the  secret  of  many  of  his  successes  in  the  mission 
work.  Where  another  might  have  repelled,  Dr. 
Dickson  attracted  his  hearers,  and  it  was  seldom  in- 
deed that  the  word  failure  could  be  said  of  his  ven- 
tures in  the  mission  field.  That  his  worth  was  re- 
cognized by  the  General  Assembly  is  instanced  by 
the  fact  that,  in  May.  1880,  Dr.  Dickson's  health 
failing  him,  they  granted  him  a  year's  leave  of  ab- 
sence instead  of  accepting  his  resignation,  which  he 
proffered  them.  During  the  time  of  his  secretary- 
ship. Dr.  Dickson  resided  in  New  York,  but  in  Oc- 
tober 1880  he  returned  to  Baltimore.  May  1881 
found  his  health  no  better,  and  the  General  Assem- 
bly very  reluctantly  accepted  his  resignation.  He 
was  afflicted  with  a  complication  of  partial  paralysis 
and  mental  troubles,  and  finally,  about  six  weeks 
ago,  he  became  confined  to  the  house,  and  later  to 
his  bed.  He  was  attended  during  his  illness  by  Dr. 
H.  P.  C.  Wilson,  a  member  of  his  own  former 
church — Westminster — and  a  life-long  friend.  For 
two  days  previous  to  his  death.  Dr.  Dickson  was  un- 
conscious of  his  surroundings,  lying  in  a  comatose 
condition.  Aside  from  the  duties  of  Secretary  to 
the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  the  deceased  was  a 
trustee  of  Princeton  College,  and  for  many  years 
permanent  clerk  to  the  General  Assembly.  He 
was  also  a  delegate  from  this  country  to  the  Pan- 
Presbyterian  Council  of  1877,  held  in  Edinburgh, 
Scotland,   and  in  which  convention  he  took  high 


o 


?SS  Memorial. 


rank.  It  is  said  of  him  that  during  the  war,  al- 
though an  ardent  Union  man,  he  was  very  conser- 
vative in  his  language,  and  did  much  to  keep  the 
churches  of  the  city  together  and  true  to  the  North- 
ern interests. 

Baltimore  Presbyterian. 

Rev.  Dr.  Dickson, 
by  rev.  robt.  h.  williams. 

Sept.  22,  1 88 1. 

Messrs.  Editors  :  My  acquaintance  With  this 
able  and  distinguished  minister  began  soon  after  I 
entered  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  some  time  in 
1862.  He  was  then  the  popular  pastor  of  the  West- 
minster church  of  Baltimore.  This  acquaintance  be- 
came more  intimate  as  we  were  thrown  together  in 
various  relations  by  the  appointment  of  Presbytery. 
In  May,  1864,  he  was  appointed  as  one  of  the  com- 
mittee to  conduct  the  services  at  my  installation  at 
the  church  in  Frederick,  and  his  address  was  so 
touching  and  impressive  and  appropriate,  that  I  was 
drawn  nearer  to  him  than  I  had  been  before  that. 

A  year  had  passed  when  we  were  again  brought 
together  in  the  most  intimate  relations.  As  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  and  Union  Commissions,  we 
were  appointed,  with  a  few  others,  to  go  to  Rich- 
mond, Petersburg,  and  other  points,  to  look  after 
the  work  of  those  Commissions.  General  Lee  had 
just  evacuated  Richmond,  and  every  conveyance  to 
that  city  was  crowded  with  passengers.  The  boat 
on  which  we  had  taken  passage  from  Baltimore,  was 


Press  N'otices.  j8g 


not  an  exception,  for  there  was  not  a  state-room  nor 
a  berth  to  be  had  by  any  of  our  committee.  Though 
the  trip  was  made  with  many  discomforts  and  incon- 
veniences, yet  he  was  the  most  cheerful  of  our  com- 
pany, and  though  all  the  rest  he  had  was  gotten  on 
the  floor  of  the  cabin,  yet  he  was  not  only  satisfied, 
but  overflowing  with  humor  and  anecdotes,  which 
helped  wonderfully  to  keep  us  in  a  contented  frame 
of  mind.  The  second  night  we  were  accommodated 
with  lodgings  in  soldier  beds  in  the  building  used  as 
the  headquarters  of  General  Winder  in  Richmond. 
In  all  our  trips  he  showed  a  willingness  to  endure 
hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  was 
as  indefatigable  in  attending  to  the  duties  connect- 
ed with  the  Commissioners.  He  was  greatly  affect- 
ed by  what  he  saw  and  heard  of  the  privations  and 
trials  of  the  people,  and  much  of  his  own  private 
funds  were  given  to  those  whom  he  esteemed  most 
deserving.  In  nearly  two  weeks  of  companionship 
in  business  and  travel,  in  which  we  saw  him  in 
many  trying  circumstances,  he  was  always  gentle 
and  kind  in  disposition,  and  persevering  and  thor- 
ough in  the  performance  of  duty.  Again,  in  1867, 
we  were  thrown  together  as  delegates  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Baltimore  to  the  Union  Presbyterian 
Convention,  which  was  held  in  Philadelphia.  His 
interest  and  delight  in  this  great  convention  were 
unbounded,  and  his  report  to  Presbytery  on  his  re- 
turn showed  how  much  he  had  been  moved  by  this 
great  demonstration.  He  was  in  sympathy  with  the 
movement  which  made  the  two  branches  of  Presby- 


J  go  Memorial. 


terianism  one  great  Church.  This,  with  his  devo- 
tion to  missions,  made  him  a  most  efficient  Secreta- 
ry of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.  No  one  could 
listen  to  his  remarks  in  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore 
on  our  own  destitutions,  without  feeling  that  his 
heart  was  in  this  great  work.  He  was  most  deeply 
interested  in  everything  connected  with  the  church, 
and  was  absorbed  in  its  work.  Seldom  do  we  see  a 
man  more  fully  given  up  to  his  work.  It  was  the 
theme  of  his  sermons,  the  topic  of  his  conversa- 
tion, and  the  thing  which  gave  beauty  and  power  to 
his  addresses  before  great  congregations.  His  last 
speech  was  on  this,  his  darling  subject,  and  as  he 
told  us  that  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  grave,  but  that 
his  interest  in  this  cause  was  still  great,  the  tears 
came  to  the  eyes  of  his  brethren,  who  remembered 
him  in  other  days  when  he  pleaded  so  eloquently 
and  willingly  for  this  great  object.  The  faithful 
servant  of  God  is  removed,  but  the  cause  which  he 
loved  remains.  *'God  buries  the  workman,  but  car- 
ries on  the  work."  May  we  who  survive  have  the 
spirit  of  the  faithful  man  who  has  gone  to  his  re- 
ward. 

Arlington,  Md.,  Sept.  12,  1881. 


VI. 
TRIBUTES  OF    RESPECT. 


"  Sinks  to  the  grave  ivith  itnperceived  decay 
While  resignation  gently  slopes  the  way : 
And  all  his  prospects  brighteniiig  to  the  last 
His  heaven  commences  ere  the  world  is  past ^ 

Goldsmith. 

"  Ye  shall  be  remembered  befoi^e    the   Lord,  your 
GodJ^ 

Num.  X  :  9. 


TRIBUTES  OF  RESPECT. 


The  resolutions  that  follow  were  the  results  of 
close  and  tender  attachments  that  were  felt  for  Dr. 
Dickson  in  his  official  relations.  Those  of  the 
church  of  Franklin,  where  he  was  first  settled,  are 
found  on  a  preceding  page,  in  connection  with  the 
memorial  services  held  in  that  church.  Then  follow 
those  of  the  Synod  of  Baltimore ;  then  those  of  the 
Synods  of  Erie  and  Pittsburgh  ;  then  a  very  brief 
extract  from  a  paper  passed  by  the  Chi  Alpha  So- 
ciety in  the  city  of  New  York.  Then  there  follow 
the  papers  of  the  Presbyteries  of  Baltimore  and  Erie, 
and  lastly  those  passed  by  the  General  Assembly 
lately  adjourned.  These  papers  indicate  some- 
thing of  the  estimate  of  the  value  of  Dr.  Dickson's 
services  to  the  church,  and  of  the  respect  felt  for 
his  memory. 

Synod  of  Baltimore. 

Extract  from  Synodical  Minutes — 

Synod  of  Baltimore  in  Session  at  Cumberland, 
Maryland  October   1881. 

On  the  announcement  of  the  decease  of  the  Rev. 
Cyrus  Dickson  D.  D.  it  was 


3^4  Memorial. 


Ordered  That  the  Committee  on  Memorials  pre- 
pare for  publication,  in  the  Minutes  of  Synod,  a  no- 
tice of  our  departed  brother. 

The  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson  D.  D.,  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Christiana  Moorhead  Dickson,  was  born 
in  North  East  township,  Erie  County,  Pennsylvania, 
December  20,  18 16.  His  Father  was  a  Ruling  El- 
der in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  North  East,  in 
which  he  made  his  profession  of  faith  in  August 
1831.  He  entered  Erie  Academy  April  1832,  and 
Jefferson  College  in  November  1832,  where  he  was 
graduated  September  27,  1837.  He  studied  The- 
ology privately,  and  attended  lectures  at  Princeton 
Seminary  while  teaching  at  Lawrenceville,  New  Jer- 
sey. On  Wednesday,  October  15,  1836,  he  was 
licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel,  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Erie,  at  Neshannock,  Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania 
in  the  house  of  William  Mc  Millan,  a  descendant  of 
the  Rev.  John  Mc  Millan,  the  pioneer.  He  began 
to  labor  in  the  churches  of  Franklin  and  Sugar- 
Creek,  Venango  County,  December  18,  1839,  and 
was  ordained  by  the  laying  on  of  hands'  of  the 
Presbytery,  and  installed  over  these  two  churches, 
June  24,  1840.  The  church  of  Sugar  Creek  having 
grown  able  to  support  a  minister  all  the  time,  he  re- 
signed its  pastoral  charge  in  1846.  In  March  1848 
he  resigned  that  of  Franklin,  and  was  dismissed  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Washington  (then  in  the  Synod 
of  Wheeling,)  and  was  installed  first  pastor  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  church  of  Wheeling,  Virginia 


Tributes  of  Respect.  jpj 

in  June  1848.  He  was  dismissed  October  1856  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  and  was  installed  over 
Westminster  Presbyterian  Church  Baltimore,  No- 
vembei'  27,  1856.  PVom  this  charge  he  was  released 
July  I,  1879,  to  assume  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Home  Missions  to  which  he  had  been 
elected  June  3,  1870,  by  the  General  As^^embly  then 
sitting  in  Philadelphia — ''the  Re-Union  ''Assembly." 
He  retained  his  membership  in  the  Presbytery  of 
Baltimore  to  the  end  of  his  life. 

For  many  years  he  was  a  Director  of  the  Wes- 
tern Theological  Seminary  at  Allegheny,  Pennsylva- 
nia ;  and  from  i860  till  his  death  a  Trustee  of  the 
College  of  New  Jersey. 

He  was  a  Commissioner  to  the  General  Assembly 
in  1844  from  the  Presbytery  of  Erie  ;  to  the  Assem- 
bly of  1853  from  the  Presbytery  of  Washington  ;  to 
the  Assemblies  of  i860,  1861,  1862,  the  November 
meeting  of  1869,  1870  and  1880  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Baltimore  ;  and  a  visitor  at  many  others. 

In  1849  he  was  elected  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Washington,  and  held  the  ofhce  until  his 
removal  to  Baltimore.  In  1870  he  became  Perma- 
nent Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  and  remained 
so  until  his  death. 

In  1877  he  was  a  member  of  the  Pan  Presbyterian 
Council  at  Edinburg,  representing  particularly  the 
Home  Mission  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
the  United  States. 

He  resigned  the  Secretaryship  of  the  board  of 
Home  Missions  in  June  1881,  and  died   September 


39^  Memorial. 

II,    1 88 1,    Sabbath    morning,    and  on   Wednesday, 
September  14,  devout  men  carried  him  to  his  burial. 

Synod  of  Erie  in  Session  at  Erie,  Penn., 
October  21,  1881. 

Resolutions  on  the  death  of  Dr.  Dickson,  offered 
by  Committee  on  Home  Missions  in  connection 
with  their  report : 

And  now  one  word  over  the  grave  of  our  depart- 
ed brother.  Dr.  Cyrus  Dickson. 

This  Synod  would  embrace  this  opportunity  of 
expressing  their  high  appreciation  of  the  Christian 
character  of  our  lamented  brother.  Dr.  Dickson,  and 
of  his  untiring  zeal  and  industry  in  behalf  of  Home 
Missions. 

Farther,  that  we  deeply  sympathize  with  his  fam- 
ily in  their  great  bereavement,  and  would  most  af- 
fectionately commend  them  to  the  love  and  care  of 
their  God  and  ours. 

Synod  of  Pittsburg. 

''  At  the  late  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Pitts- 
burg held  in  Uniontown  Pa.  a  special  committee 
was  appointed  to  bring  in  a  minute  upon  the  death 
of  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson  D.D.  The  Committee,  con- 
sisting of  Rev.  John  M.  Smith  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Dick- 
ey, presented  the  following  paper  which  was  adopted: 

As  God  in  his  unscrutable  but  all  wise  Providence 
has  seen  fit  to  remove  by  death  one  of  the  Secretaries 
of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  Rev.  Cyrus  Dick- 
son D.D.  ;  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  bereaved 


Tributes  of  Respect.  397 


family  and  friends,  and  while  we  bow  to  the  will  of 
Him  who  orders  all  things  for  the  best,  we  desire  to 
express  our  profound  sense  of  the  loss  we,  in  common 
with  the  whole  church,  have  sustained  in  the  de- 
mise of  one  who  has  been  the  instrument,  under 
God,  of  accomplishing  so  much  for  His  cause.  We 
mourn  that  we  shall  see  his  face  and  hear  his  voice 
no  more  ;  but  we  rejoice  in  the  opportunity  of  putting 
on  record  an  appreciation  of  his  thorough  conse- 
cration to  the  work,  his  eloquence  and  ability  in 
presenting  the  cause  of  Home  Missions  and  the 
eminent  success  which  has  followed  his  untiring 
and  self-denying  efforts.  And  we  hope,  and  ear- 
nestly pray,  that  his  mantle  may  fall  upon  his  suc- 
cessor in  ofhce,  and  the  example  of  his  zeal  and 
devotedness  to  the  cause  may  be  remembered  and 
imitated  by  others  in  all  coming  time. 

A  copy  of  the  above  was  ordered  to  be  sent  to 
the  family  of  Dr.  Dickson. 

Henry  Woods, 
Stated  Clerk r 

Action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Erie. 

Whereas,  God  in  His  all-wise  Providence  has 
called  from,  earth  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.,  Cor- 
responding Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions, a  valued  servant  of  the  church  ;  the  efficient 
Secretary  and  eloquent  advocate  of  the  work  of  Home 
Missions ;  the  successful  pastor  of  two  of  our 
churches  ;  born  and  reared  on  our  territory ;  li- 
censed  and  ordained  by  this  Presbytery  ;  and  en- 


jg8  Memorial. 


cleared  to  many  of  us  by  the  tenderest  ties ;  there- 
fore, Resolved  : — 

1.  That  we  bow  reverently  to  the  will  of  the  All- 
wise  God  in  this  dispensation,  and  place  on  record 
our  testimony  to  the  virtues  and  valuable  services 
to  the  church  of  our  revered  brother. 

2.  That  we  tender  to  the  family  of  Dr.  Dickson, 
our  sincere  sympathies  and  best  wishes  for  their 
temporal  and  spiritual  welfare. 

Attest— S.  J.  M.  Eaton, 


Stated  Clerk. 


Done  at  Edinboro,  Pa., 
September  13,  1882. 


Conclusion  of  Paper  read  before  Chi  Alpha, 
New  York  :  1881. 

"He  was  chosen  a  member  of  our  Chi  Alpha 
April  20,  1 87-  and  contributed  greatly  by  his  warm- 
hearted piety,  his  great  affability,  his  sprightliness 
of  remark,  and  his  boundless  geniality,  to  the  en- 
joyment and  profit  of  our  weekly  gatherings.  Now 
that  he  has  been  transferred  to  the  fellowship  of  the 
Christian  Brotherhood  on  high,  how  much  better 
and  more  honorable  it  is  for  him  !  May  we  too,  in 
the  Master's  good  time  share  with  him  in  the  richer 
glories  of  the  upper  world,  and  the  sweeter  fellow- 
ship of  the  General  Assembly  and  Church  of  the 
first  born  which  are  written  in  heaven  !" 

E.  F.  Hatfield. 


Tributes  of  Respect.  jgg 

Board  of  Home  Missions. 

Resolutions  on    the  Death   of 

Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson. 

Whereas  it  has  pleased  Almighty  God,  in  His  wise 
Providence,  to  remove  by  death  the  Rev.  Cyrus 
Dickson  D,  D.,  late  Secretary  of  this  Board — there- 
fore Resolved 

I — That  we  have  lost  a  faithful  co-laborer,  a  genial 
friend  and  a  wise  counsellor  ;  and  that  while  we  are 
unable  to  solve  the  mystery  of  this  great  affliction, 
nevertheless  we  bow  before  the  Divine  Will,  know- 
ing that  the  Lord  of  all  the  earth  will  do  right. — 

Resolved — 

2 — That  we  can  not  forbear  to  place  on  record  our 
high  estimate  of  the  services  he  rendered  the  Church 
through  this  Board  during  all  the  time  he  was 
connected  with  it.  He  showed  a  hearty  sympathy 
with  the  missionaries  and  their  families,  in  all  their 
hardships  and  labors,  and  in  the  pulpits  of  his 
brethren,  in  the  Presbyteries,  Synods  and  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  he  plead  the  cause  of  Home  Mis- 
sions with  a  fervency  and  a  power,  seldom,  if  ever 
equalled,  and,  until  his  health  failed,  he  gave  all  his 
energies  to  this  great  work. 

Resolved — 

3.  That  we  are  reminded  by  this  dispensation  of 
Providence  that  the  time  is  short  and  that  we  are 
called  upon  to  renew  our  diligence  in  the  Master's 
service. 

Resolved — 


400  Memorial. 


4.  That  this  minute  be  entered  on  our  records, 
and  that  a  copy  of  the  same  be  sent  to  the  afflicted 
family,  on  whom  we  invoke  the  Divine  blessing,  and 
pray  that  the  God  of  all  grace  and  consolation  may 
comfort  and  sustain  them  in  their  great  bereave- 
ment. 

H.  Kendall, 
Wm.  C.  Roberts. 

Tribute  to  Dr.  Dickson. 

Rev.  Dr.  Roberts'  Address  on  Home  Missions 

Before  the  General  Assembly,    1882. 

"Mr.  Moderator,  Fathers  and  Brethren:  I 
feel  not  only  embarassed,  sir,  but  painfully  solemn. 
I  cannot  divest  myself  of  the  thought  that  I  stand 
here  in  the  room  of  a  Prince  in  Israel — a  man  be- 
loved by  all  who  knew  him,  for  his  tenderness  of 
heart  and  genial  spirit ;  for  his  uprightness  of  con- 
duct and  great  consecration  to  the  Master's  work — 
a  man  admired  everywhere  for  his  zeal  in  the  inter- 
est of  Home  Missions  and  his  ability  to  move  and 
melt  assemblies — a  man  praised  the  land  over  for 
his  power  to  play  upon  every  chord  of  the  human 
heart,  and  to  open  the  purse-strings  of  the  most  pe- 
nurious. *  *  *  I  imagine  that  I  see  him  as  he 
lifted  his  trembling  hands  to  his  head,  at  Madison, 
two  years  ago,  and  exclaimed,  "  There  is  something 
wrong."  Yes,  Mr.  Moderator,  all  was  wrong.  The 
strong  frame,  that  had  been  equal  to  almost  any 
emergency,  had  given  way  under  the  weight  of  care 
and  incessant  toil.       The    active,  busy    brain  was 


Trihites  of  Respect.  401 

paralyzed  by  close  application  to  the  preparation  of 
stirring  addresses  for  our  ecclesiastical  bodies,  and 
by  devising  liberal  things  for  the  evangelization  of 
our  land.  The  tender  heart  was  broken  under  the 
pitiable  appeals  made  to  him  by  mothers  in  behalf 
of  their  children,  by  college  mates  in  behalf  of  their 
friends,  and  by  Christian  people  in  behalf  of  the 
neighborhoods  in  which  they  lived.  He  carried 
these  appeals  to  his  home  and  talked  of  them  with 
his  family ;  he  dreamed  over  them  or  stayed  awake 
reflecting  upon  thei^.  He  carried  them  back  to  the 
office  the  next  morning  and  home  again  the  next 
night.  Thus  he  bore  the  wants  and  woes  of  his 
loved  country  upon  his  heart  until  that  heart  gave 
way.  He  broke  down  mentally  and  physically,  but 
not  before  he  had  nobly  finished  his  work.  He  has 
gone  to  his  rest  and  received  the  welcome  plaudit, 
''Well  done!"  That  manly  form  will  be  seen  no 
more  on  earth,  that  radiant  face  will  not  smile  again 
upon  the  Assembly,  and  that  tongue  of  fire  will  no 
more  rouse  the  Church  to  action. 

*  *  *  He  was  like  the  imperial  eagle,  able  to 
rise  toward  the  sun,  penetrate  the  dark  future,  and 
tell  the  Church  what  she  might  expect  in  years  to 
come.  I  am  conscious  of  being  but  a  pedestrian, 
able  only  to  lead  her  through  desert  paths  and  tell 
her  of  the  emergencies  of  every  day  as  they  arise. 
But  the  work  is  God's,  and  hence  I  may  take  cour- 
age, and  believe  that,  under  the  humblest  adminis- 
trator, it  is  destined  to  advance." 


402  Memorial. 


Papers  from   the    General  Assembly  of  1882. 

"The  Stated  Clerk  announced  to  the  Assembly 
the  death  of  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.D.,  Perma- 
nent Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  whereupon  the 
following  minute  was  adopted  : 

*'  It  having  pleased  the  Head  of  the  Church  to 
remove  from  this  life  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.D., 
an  eminent  servant  of  God,  who  has  served  the 
General  Assembly  ever  since  the  reunion,  as  Per- 
manent Clerk,  this  General  Assembly  now  record 
its  grateful  sense  of  the  fidelity  and  diligence  with 
which  he  discharged  all  the  duties  assigned  him  by 
this  Church." 

The  Committee  on  Home  Missions  reported  the 
following : 

"  This  year  has  been  made  memorable  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  Board  and  of  the  Church  by  the  remov- 
al by  death  of  the  honored  and  beloved  Secretary, 
Dr.  Cyrus  Dickson.  Hearty  in  his  friendship,  con- 
secrated to  his  work,  untiring  in  his  labors,  and 
grandly  eloquent  in  speech,  the  Presbyterian  Church 
will  long  preserve  his  memory  as  a  faithful  man  of 
God,  and  feel  the  influence  of  his  piety  and  enthu- 
siasm." 


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